Homepage Solution manuals David S. Dummit Abstract Algebra Exercise 3.5.2 ($\sigma^2$ is an even permutation )

Exercise 3.5.2 ($\sigma^2$ is an even permutation )

Prove that σ 2 is an even permutation for every permutation σ .

Answers

Proof. The permutation σ may be written as a product of transpositions τ 1 , τ 2 , , τ k :

σ = τ 1 τ 2 τ k .

Then

σ 2 = τ 1 τ 2 τ k τ 1 τ 2 τ k

is the product of 2 k transpositions, so σ 2 is an even permutation. □

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2025-12-18 10:14
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