Homepage Solution manuals David S. Dummit Abstract Algebra Exercise 4.5.52 (If $G$ is a finite simple group in which every proper subgroup is abelian, and if $M$ and $N$ are distinct maximal subgroups of $G$ then $M \cap N = 1$)

Exercise 4.5.52 (If $G$ is a finite simple group in which every proper subgroup is abelian, and if $M$ and $N$ are distinct maximal subgroups of $G$ then $M \cap N = 1$)

Suppose G is a finite simple group in which every proper subgroup is abelian. If M and N are distinct maximal subgroups of G prove M N = 1 . [See Exercise 23 in Section 3.]

Answers

Note: the hint is erroneaous.

Proof. Put H = M N , and consider its normalizer N G ( H ) .

The maximal subgroups M and N are proper subgroups by definition, so M and N are abelian by hypothesis. Therefore M and N normalize H = M N :

M N G ( H ) , N N G ( H ) .

Since M and N are maximal subgroups

( M = N G ( H )  or  N G ( H ) = G ) and ( N = N G ( H )  or  N G ( H ) = G ) .

If N G ( H ) G , then M = N G ( H ) = N : this is impossible, because M , N are distinct subgroups. Hence

N G ( H ) = G .

This proves H G . Moreover, G is a simple group, therefore H = { 1 } or H = G . Since H M , where M is a proper subgroup, then H G . Therefore H = { 1 } :

M N = { 1 } .

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2026-04-12 10:01
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