Homepage Solution manuals David S. Dummit Abstract Algebra Exercise 1.2.12 (Group of rigid motions of a dodecahedron.)

Exercise 1.2.12 (Group of rigid motions of a dodecahedron.)

Let G be the group of rigid motions in 3 of an dodecahedron. Show that | G | = 60 .

Answers

Outline of a proof.

Proof. Let 𝒟 a regular dodecahedron ( 12 faces, 20 vertices), and G be the group of rigid motions of 𝒟 .

G acts on the set 𝒟 by g M = g ( M ) ( g G , M 𝒟 ) . Using rotations of angles 2 π 5 and axe 0 I , where I is a centre of a face, we can send A on any vertex. So the action is transitive, there is a unique orbit O A , and | O A | = | 𝒟 | = 20 .

The stabilizer G A of A has three elements: G A = { e , ρ , ρ 2 } where ρ is the rotation of angle 2 π 3 and axe OA . By the fundamental theorem of group actions, ( G : G A ) = | O A | , so

| G | = | G A | | O A | = 3 20 = 60 .

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2025-09-09 08:38
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