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Problem: Let $G$ be a group of order $108 = 2^23^3$. Prove that $G$ has a proper normal subgroup of order $n \geq 6$.

My attempt: From the Sylow theorems, if $n_3$ and $n_2$ denote the number of subgroups of order $27$ and $4$, respectively, in $G$, then $n_3 = 1$ or $4$, since $n_3 \equiv 1$ (mod $3$) and $n_3~|~2^2$, and $n_2 = 1, 3, 9$ or $27$, because $n_2~|~3^3$.

Now, I don't know what else to do. I tried assuming $n_3 = 4$ and seeing if this leads to a contradiction, but I'm not even sure that this can't happen. I'm allowed to use only the basic results of group theory (the Sylow theorems being the most sophisticated tools).

Any ideas are welcome; thanks!

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Are you allowed to use group actions? – Brian Aug 3 '12 at 0:04
@Brian if you mean things like the Class Equation, then yes. – student Aug 3 '12 at 0:30

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Let $\,P\,$ be a Sylow 3-sbgp. of $\,G\,$ and let the group act on the left cosets of $\,P\,$ by left (or right) shift. This action determines a homomorphism of $\,G\,$ on $\,S_4\,$ whose kernel has to be non-trivial (why? Compare orders!) and either of order 27 or of order 9 (a subgroup of $\,P\,$ ,say) , so in any case the claim's proved.

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I suppose you mean $P$ is a Sylow-3 subgroup of $G$, and the action of $G$ is on the (left or right) cosets of $P$. But the kernel of the action may be $P$ or a subgroup of $P$ with order 9. – Serkan Aug 3 '12 at 0:35
Yes thanks, it was a typo and has already been corrected: it is a Sylow 3 subgroup. Whether the kernel of the induced homom. $\,\phi:G\to S_4\,$ by the action is a subgroup of $\,P\,$ of order 9 or $\,P\,$ itself we're cool since this is a proper subgroup of order greater than 6... – DonAntonio Aug 3 '12 at 2:13
@DonAntonio thanks, I understand it now. Still, the action is on the left cosets of $P$, rather than $P$ itself, right? It also follows that this homomorphism $\phi : G \rightarrow S_4$ cannot be surjective, since we would then have $G/\ker(\phi) \simeq S_4$, which can't happen (again because of the orders). – student Aug 3 '12 at 16:54
Yes, you're right. Edited and thanks. – DonAntonio Aug 3 '12 at 22:08

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