# Problem concerning Sylow subgroups and normalizers

I have the following problem:

Let $P$ be a Sylow subgroup of a group $G$. Prove that if $x$ and $y$ are elements of the centralizer of $P$ that are conjugate in $G$, then they are also conjugate in the normalizer of $P$.

Any hints will be welcome. Thanks in advance.

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A beautiful application of the Sylow $C$-theorem (i.e., the fact that any two Sylow $p$-subgroups of a finite group are conjugate) in a "hidden subgroup". I will give you the following hint: if $y=x^g=g^{-1}xg$, then apply the Sylow $C$-theorem to $P$ and $P^g=\{g^{-1}zg:z\in P\}$ $\textbf{in}$ $\textbf{C}_G(y)=\{z\in G:zy=yz\}$. (However, try not to look at my answer below until you are truly stuck.) –  Amitesh Datta Jun 15 '11 at 12:13

The following steps lead to a solution. Please note that I use the following notation: if $z,w\in G$, then $z^w=w^{-1}zw$, i.e., $z^w$ is the $\textit{conjugation}$ of $z$ by $w$. Similarly, if $H$ is a subgroup of $G$, then $H^w=\{z^w:z\in H\}$ is the $\textit{conjugation}$ of $H$ by $w$.

(1) Let $C=\textbf{C}_G(P)$ and $N=\textbf{N}_G(P)$ denote the centralizer and normalizer of $P$ in $G$ respectively. Also, let $x,y\in C$ be conjugate in $G$.

(2) The "trick" is to observe that $P\subseteq \textbf{C}_G(y)$ (the centralizer of $y$ in $G$) and $P\subseteq \textbf{C}_G(x)$. Choose $g\in G$ such that $y=x^g$. Prove that $(\textbf{C}_G(x^g))=(\textbf{C}_G(x))^g$.

(3) Deduce that $P^g\subseteq \textbf{C}_G(y)$. Hence $P$ and $P^g$ are Sylow $p$-subgroups of $\textbf{C}_G(y)$. Use the Sylow $C$-theorem in $\textbf{C}_G(y)$; i.e., use the fact that $P$ and $P^g$ are conjugate in $\textbf{C}_G(y)$.

(4) Conclude that $x$ and $y$ are conjugate in $\textbf{N}_G(P)$.

I believe this result is due to Burnside and is also referred to as $\textbf{Burnside's Fusion Lemma}$.

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