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Worksheet Homework 4

1.

Consider the group \((\Q^*,\cdot)\text{,}\) the non-zero rational numbers under multiplication. Let \(H = \{2^k \st k \in \Z\}\text{.}\) Prove that \(H\) is a subgroup of \(G\text{.}\)

2.

Let \(G\) be a group and let \(H = \{x \in G \st x^2 = e\}\text{.}\)
  1. If \(G = S_4\text{,}\) what is \(H\text{?}\) Is \(H\) a subgroup of \(G\text{?}\)
  2. Prove that if \(G\) is abelian, then \(H\) is a subgroup of \(G\text{.}\)
Hint.
Warning: this is not the same as \(G^2 = \{g^2 \st g \in G\}\) that we did in class.

3.

Find a set of elements of \(S_4\) that generates all of \(S_4\text{.}\) Ensure that your set is as small as possible. Justify your answer (both that your set generates \(S_4\) and that no smaller set does).