1
$\begingroup$

Let $\mathbb{C}^\times$ the multiplicative group of complex numbers different of zero. Let $H$ the subgroup $\mathbb{C}^\times$ of generated by $\{i, e^{\frac{2i \pi}{5}}, -1\}$. Find the order of $H$.

I found that the neutral element is one $1$, the inverse of $i$ is $-i$, the inverse of $e^{\frac{2i \pi}{5}}$ is $e^{\frac{-2i \pi}{5}}$, the inverse of $-1$ is itself and other unnecessary items; so $O(H)= 6$. Am I wrong here? Is anyone can help me at this point?

$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ You forget the powers of these generators, and the powers of these products $\endgroup$
    – Bernard
    Commented Nov 4, 2015 at 20:28

2 Answers 2

3
$\begingroup$

The generators can be written as $e^{\pi i/2},e^{2\pi i/5},e^{\pi i}$. Then the values these can generate through multiplication are exactly the values of the form $$e^{2\pi i(m/4 + n/5)}$$ for integral $m$ and $n$ (the $-1$ adds nothing because it can itself be generated from $i$).

These in turn are exactly the distinct values $$e^{2\pi i k/20}$$ for integral $k$, of which there are twenty.

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ So the ordre is 8, right? $\endgroup$
    – user230283
    Commented Nov 4, 2015 at 20:50
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Isn't the order twenty? $\endgroup$
    – MPW
    Commented Nov 4, 2015 at 20:52
1
$\begingroup$

Hint:

Is $a$ and $b$ have orders $r$ and $s$, and $\langle a\rangle\cap\langle b\rangle=\{1\}$, $ab$ has order $\operatorname{lcm}(r,s)$.

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ not always true. what if $a$ and $b$ are inverses of each other? $\endgroup$
    – Anurag A
    Commented Nov 4, 2015 at 20:38
  • $\begingroup$ Oops! I forgot that in the general case, they may not be independent. Thanks for pointing it. $\endgroup$
    – Bernard
    Commented Nov 4, 2015 at 20:43

You must log in to answer this question.