Embedding $G$ into $G/N \times A$ for some small group $A$ Let $G$ be a finite group and let $N \unlhd G$ be a normal subgroup of $G$.
I would like to embed $G$ in $(G/N) \times A$ for some small group $A$.
I require the embedding to map $g \in G$ to $(gN, a_g)$ for some $a_g \in A$.
What is the smallest $A$ I can take?
 A: You can always take A = G, and often you cannot do better. If G is cyclic of order 4 and N is the normal subgroup of index 2, then the smallest A that works is of course G, since G/N × A must at the very least have an element of order 4.
Another silly case:


*

*When N = 1, you can always take A = 1.

*When N = G, the minimal choice is A = G.


Consider the homomorphism φ from G to G/N × A given by g → ( gN, f(g) ).  Notice that f must be a homomorphism from G to A. What is the kernel of φ? It is just the intersection of the kernel of f with N.  Hence we take A to be minimal amongst all G/M where M ∩ N = 1.
For instance, if G is a p-group with a cyclic center and N ≠ 1, then A = G is minimal.  If G is dihedral of order 2p and N ≠ 1, then A = G is minimal.  If G is dihedral of order 2pq and N has order p, then one can take A to be dihedral of order 2p, that is M has order q.  Here p ≠ q are distinct odd primes.
In particular, if N contains the socle of G, then A = G is minimal. The converse also holds, since otherwise M being a minimal normal subgroup not contained in N will work for A = G/M.
