# Prove that $H=0$ or $H=\mathbb{Q}$

Let $H$ be a subgroup of the additive group of rational numbers with the property that $\dfrac{1}{x} \in H$ for every non-zero element $x$ of $H$. Prove that $H=0$ or $H=\mathbb{Q}$

Let $x \in \mathbb{Q}$. Then $x=\dfrac{a}{b},a,b\in \mathbb{Z},b \neq 0$. Then $\dfrac{1}{x}=\dfrac{b}{a}$. Then I stuck here.

Actually I don understand what the set $H$ is. Does it mean $H= \lbrace x \in \mathbb{Q}:\dfrac{1}{x} \in H\,\, \forall x \in H \rbrace$? If this is the case, then what should I do to show that $x$ is an element of $H$ ?

• $H$ hasn't been defined. What you're trying to do is show that the only possible thing $H$ can be is either $0$ or $\mathbb{Q}$, given it has the stated properties. Apr 23, 2013 at 19:28

Suppose $H \neq 0$. Then there exists an $x = \frac a b$ in $H$. Thus $a = bx = \underbrace{x+x+\dots +x}_{\text{b times}} \in H$. Now $\frac 1 a \in H$ and by the same argument as before $1 \in H$.

Now we get to $\mathbb Z \subset H$. Take any $\frac p q \in \mathbb Q$. Then $q \in \mathbb Z \subset H$, thus $\frac 1 q \in H$. Now $\frac p q = \underbrace{\frac 1 q + \dots + \frac 1 q}_{\text{p times}} \in H$.

Note that we used that a group is closed under addition.

What you need to show is that if $x \in H$ then $y \in H$, for any two fractions $x, y$ and $x \neq 0$.

The first step is to observe that if $\frac{a}{b} \in H$ then $\frac{a}{b} + \dots + \frac{a}{b} = b \cdot \frac{a}{b} = a \in H$ and thus $\frac{1}{a} \in H$. Now, in the same way, show that $1 \in H$ and thus $\mathbb Z \subset H$. Then you should be able to construct arbitrary fractions easily.

• Do you mean to say that he needs to show that $x \in H$ for any fraction $x \neq 0$ if $H \neq 0$? Apr 23, 2013 at 19:37
• @ferson2020, Those two are equivalent statements. I see I missed an if. I wonder if that's the problem... Apr 23, 2013 at 19:51
• Ok I see what you mean now. Apr 23, 2013 at 20:21

If $$H$$ is a subgroup (by hypothesis) of $$(\mathbb{Q}, +)$$ and it is not empty, then at least $$1 \in H$$. If $$1 \in H, \ H \leq (\mathbb{Q}, +)$$ then the subgroup generated by 1 is in $$H$$. So every integer number $$z \in \mathbb{Z}$$ is in $$H$$, and by definition of $$H$$, $$\frac{1}{z} \ z \in \mathbb{Z}$$ too. a general element of $$(\mathbb{Q}, +)$$ is $$\frac{a}{b}$$, $$a,b \in \mathbb{Z}$$ which is equal to $$\frac{1}{b}+ \frac{1}{b}+ \dots + \frac{1}{b}$$ $$a$$ times. Using the closure of $$H$$ under the addition the proof is complete.

• notice now that it is the same of @Stefan's solution. Sorry :) Apr 23, 2013 at 21:19