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We need to find a counterexample to the Cantor–Schröder–Bernstein theorem for the category of groups (that is, find two monomorphisms $\varphi\colon G\to H$ and $\psi\colon H\to G$ such that $G$ and $H$ are non isomorphic). The professor suggested us to consider the groups $G = \bigoplus_{i \geq 1} \mathbb{Z}_{2^i}$ and $H = \bigoplus_{i \geq 2} \mathbb{Z}_{2^i}$. I constructed the following monomorphisms: Monomorphisms

Both are indeed monomorphisms, but I haven’t been able to prove that $G$ and $H$ are non-isomorphic. Does anybody have an idea? May I get a hint?

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1 Answer 1

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Every element of $H$ of order $2$ is twice some element.

But $G$ has elements of order $2$ which don't have that property (e.g., $(1,0,0,0,...))$.

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  • $\begingroup$ Oh, divisibility, you're right! Thanks! $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 7, 2017 at 4:14
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    $\begingroup$ Divisibility by $2$ for elements of order $2$.. Not every element of $H$ is divisible by $2$. $\endgroup$
    – quasi
    Commented Oct 7, 2017 at 4:16

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