MATH4016 (ALGEBRA) 2023

Chapter4: Fundamentals of finite abelian group theory

Dr. R. Kwashira

Office: MSB337
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Introduction

ˆ The study of abelian groups significantly differ from the study of non abelian groups.

ˆ Techniques of study differ, some techniques become trivial when applied to finite abelian
groups.

– study of normal subgroups of a group G becomes trivial when G is abelian.

– simple abelian groups are those of finite order p for p prime.

– conjugation in abelian groups is trivial.

– commutators are trivial.

– derived series, lower and upper central series are always of length 2.

– class equation not useful since Z(G) = G and [G : CG (g)] = 1 ∀g ∈ G.

– if G is finite then there is exactly one Sylow p-subgroup for every prime p such that
p | |G|.

Before we study the classification of finite abelian groups, we look at finitely generated abelian
groups.

Definition 1. (1) A group G is finitely generated if there is a finite subset A of G such that
G = ⟨A⟩.

ˆ Any finite group G is finitely generated G = ⟨G⟩.

(2) For each r ∈ Z with r ≥ 0, let Zr = Z × Z × · · · × Z be the direct product of r copies of the
group Z where Z0 = {1}.

ˆ The group Zr is called the free abelian group of rank r.

ˆ Zr is finitely generated by (e1 , e2 , · · · , er ) where ei = (0, · · · , 1, 0, · · · , 0, · · · , 0), with i in

the ith position.

Theorem 2 (Fundamental Theorem of Finitely generated Abelian groups). Let G be a finitely

generated abelian group. Then

(1) G ∼= Zr × Zn1 × Zn2 × · · · × Zns for some integers r, n1 , n2 , · · · , ns satisfying the following
conditions:
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(a) r ≥ 0 and nj ≥ 2 for all j,

(b) ni+1 | ni , ∀i, 1 ≤ i ≤ s − 1.

(2) The expression in (1) is unique:

If G ∼= Z t × Zm1 × Zm2 × · · · × Zml where t and m − 1, m2 , · · · , m1 satisfy (a) and (b), that
is, t ≥ 0, mj ≥ 2 ∀j and mj+1 | mj ∀ 1 ≤ j ≤ l − 1 then t = r and l = s for all i.

Definition 3. The integer r in the Fundamental Theorem of Finitely generated Abelian groups is
called rank or Betti number of G and the integers n1 , n2 , · · · , ns are called invariant factor decom-
position of G.

Note

(1) The Betti number and the (ordered) list of invariant factors of an abelian group are uniquely
determined.

(2) Thus, two finitely generated abelian groups are isomorphic if and only if they have the same
Betti number and same list of invariant factors.

(3) A finitely generated abelian group is a finite group if and only if its Betti number is zero.

(4) The order of a finite abelian group is the product of its invariant factors, that is, n = |G| =
n1 n2 · · · ns .

(5) If G is a finite group with invariant factors n1 , n2 , · · · ns where ni+1 | ni 1 ≤ i ≤ s − 1, then G

is said to be of type (n1 , n2 , · · · , ns ).

(6) Every prime divisor of n must divide n1 .

(7) If n is the product of disjoint primes, then, up to isomorphism, the only abelian group of
order n is the cyclic group of order n, that is, Zn .

Question
Let G and H finite abelian groups, such that |G| = |H|.

ˆ What information on G and H is sufficient to conclude that G ∼

= H?
ˆ |G| = |H| does not necessarily mean that G ∼= H. For example, if |G| = 4 then, either, G is
cyclic and G ∼
= 4
Z or G is not cyclic and G ∼
= Z2 × Z2 .

ˆ We will provide numerical invariants which can be used to decide whether two finite abelian
groups are isomorphic or not.

ˆ We give results that help determine isomorphism classes of finite abelian groups.
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Theorem 4. Every finite abelian group is a direct product of cyclic groups.

Lemma 5. Let G be a finite abelian group. Then G is isomorphic to a direct product of its Sylow
p-subgroups.

Proof
Suppose that |G| = pk11 · · · pkr r where p1 , · · · , pr are distinct primes.
k
For i ∈ {1, 2, · · · , r}, let Hi be the Sylow pi -subgroup. Since gcd(pki i , pj j ) = 1 for all i ̸= j so
|Hi ∩ Hj | = 1.
Thus |H1 H2 · · · Hr | = |G| and hence G = H1 H2 · · · Hr ∼ = H1 × H2 × · · · × Hr .

ˆ If G is a finite abelian group, then, G has a unique Sylow p-subgroup for every prime p dividing
order of G.
Definition 6. For a fixed positive integer n, the finite sequence (ni ), 1 ≤ i ≤ k of positive integers
k
X
is called a partition of n if ni ≥ ni+1 and n = ni .
i=1

ˆ For a prime p and a fixed integer n every partition, n1 ≥ n2 ≥ · · · ≥ nk of n provides an

abelian group of order pn ,the direct product of cyclic groups of order pni .

ˆ There is one-to-one correspondence between partitions of a positive integer n and isomorphism

classes of abelian groups of order pn .

ˆ Let G be a p-group, that is |G| = pn , n ≥ 0. The elementary/primary divisors of G are

pni , i = 1, 2, · · · , n.

ˆ The set of all elementary divisors of |G| determine G up to isomorphism.

Examples

(1) |G| = 8 = 23 .
Then 3 = 3 = 1 + 2 = 1 + 1 + 1 and this means the possible abelian groups of order 8 will be
isomorphic to

(i) Z8 ;

(ii) Z2 × Z4 ;

(iii) Z2 × Z2 × Z2 .

(2) |G| = 81 = 34 .
Then 4 = 4 = 3 + 1 = 2 + 2 = 2 + 1 + 1 = 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 and this means the possible abelian
groups of order 81 will be isomorphic to

(i) Z81 ;

(ii) Z27 × Z3 ;
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(iii) Z9 × Z9 .

(iv) Z9 × Z3 × Z3 .

(v) Z3 × Z3 × Z3 × Z3 .

(3) |G| = 36 = 22 32 .
Then G is a direct product of its Sylow p-subgroups, p = 2, 3.
One will be of order 4 and the other of 9.
The possible abelian groups of order 4 (up to isomorphism) are (a)Z4 , (b)Z2 × Z2 ;
The possible abelian groups of order 9 are (a) Z9 , (b) Z3 × Z3 .
Therefore the possible abelian groups of order 36 are

(i) Z4 × Z9 ;

(ii) Z4 × Z3 × Z3 ;

(iii) Z2 × Z2 × Z9 .

(iv) Z2 × Z2 × Z3 × Z3 .

Note

ˆ Z4 × Z9 ∼
= Z36 since gcd(4, 9) = 1.

= Z12 which means Z4 × Z3 × Z3 ∼

ˆ Z4 × Z3 ∼ = Z12 × Z3 .

Theorem 7. If G is a finite abelian group, then G ∼ = C1 × C2 × · · · × Ck where Cj is a cyclic group

of order ni and ni | ni+1 , i = 1, 2, · · · , k − 1, j = 1, 2, · · · , , k.
The integers n1 , n2 , · · · , nk (invariant factors of G) are uniquely determined by G.

ˆ Recall that a cyclic group of order ni is isomorphic to Zni . Thus G ∼

= C1 × C2 × · · · × Ck
∼
means that, G = Zn1 × Zn2 × · · · × Znk .

ˆ In the following we will determine all possible lists of invariant factors for finite abelian groups
of order n.

Examples: Abelian groups of order 1800

Let G be an abelian group with |G| = 1800 = 23 32 52 .

Then G is a direct product of its Sylow subgroups, say, H, K and N with |H| = 8, |K| = 9 and
|N | = 25. Then

(a) H is one of: Z8 ; Z4 × Z2 ; Z2 × Z2 × Z2 ,

(b) K is one of : Z9 ; Z3 × Z3 , and

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(c) N is one of : Z25 ; Z5 × Z5 .

We obtain the following list:

possible direct product invariant factorisation elementary divisors invariant div

(i) Z8 × Z9 × Z25 ∼= Z72 × Z25 Z1800 23 , 32 , 52 1800

(ii) Z8 × Z9 × Z5 × Z5 Z5 × Z360 23 , 32 , 5, 5 5, 360

(iii) Z8 × Z3 × Z3 × Z25 Z3 × Z600 23 , 3, 3, 52 3, 360

(iv) Z8 × Z3 × Z3 × Z5 × Z5 Z15 × Z120 23 , 3, 3, 5, 5 15, 120

(v) Z4 × Z2 × Z9 × Z25 Z2 × Z900 22 , 2, 32 , 52 2, 900

(vi) Z4 × Z2 × Z9 × Z5 × Z5 Z10 × Z180 22 , 2, 32 , 5, 5 10, 180

(vii) Z4 × Z2 × Z3 × Z3 × Z25 Z6 × Z300 22 , 2, 3, 3, 52 6, 300

(viii) Z4 × Z2 × Z3 × Z3 × Z5 × Z5 Z30 × Z60 22 , 2, 3, 3, 5, 5 30, 60

(ix) Z2 × Z2 × Z2 × Z9 × Z25 Z2 × Z2 × Z450 2, 2, 2, 32 , 52 2, 2, 450

(x) Z2 × Z2 × Z2 × Z9 × Z5 × Z5 Z2 × Z10 × Z90 2, 2, 2, 32 , 5, 5 2, 10, 90

(xi) Z2 × Z2 × Z2 × Z3 × Z3 × Z25 Z2 × Z2 × Z450 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 52 2, 2, 450

(xii) Z2 × Z2 × Z2 × Z3 × Z3 × Z5 × Z5 Z2 × Z30 × Z30 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 5, 5 2, 30, 30

ˆ How to compute invariant factors:

ˆ Write numbers of each prime in a row, right justified,

ˆ Multiply each column.

ˆ Example (viii) Z4 × Z2 × Z3 × Z3 × Z5 × Z5 , we write

2 4
3 3
5 5

Multiplying the numbers in each column we get the invariant factors are: 30, 60.

Hence Z4 × Z2 × Z3 × Z3 × Z5 × Z5 ∼
= Z30 × Z60 .
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ˆ Example (xii) Z2 × Z2 × Z2 × Z3 × Z3 × Z5 × Z5 , we write

2 2 2
3 3
5 5

Multiplying the numbers in each column we get the invariant factors are: 2, 30, 30.

Hence Z2 × Z2 × Z2 × Z3 × Z3 × Z5 × Z5 ∼
= Z2 × Z30 × Z30 .

Applications

(1) Suppose that G is an abelian group of order 24 and no element has order greater than 12.
What are the possible primary decompositions of G?

ˆ |G| = 24 = 23 · 3.
The possible primary decompositions for an abelian group of order 24 are
Z8 × Z3 , Z2 × Z4 × Z3 , Z2 × Z2 × Z2 × Z3 .

(i) Let (a, b, c) ∈ Z2 × Z4 × Z3 .

Then 12(a, b, c) = (12a, 12b, 12c) = (0, 0, 0).
Therefore no element of Z2 × Z4 × Z3 has order greater than 12 and Z2 × Z4 × Z3 is
a possible primary decomposition of G.

(ii) Let (a, b, c, d) ∈ Z2 × Z2 × Z2 × Z3 .

Then 12(a, b, c, d) = (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) = (0, 0, 0, 0).
Thus, no element of Z2 × Z2 × Z2 × Z3 has order greater than 12.

(iii) For (1, 1) ∈ Z8 × Z3 we have that 12(1, 1) = (12, 12) = (4, 0) ̸= (0, 0).
So, (1, 1) does not have order less than 12. In fact, (1, 1) has order 24.
Therefore, possible primary decompositions for G are

Z2 × Z4 × Z3 , Z2 × Z2 × Z2 × Z3 .

(2) Determine the isomorphism class of an abelian group of order 120 that has exactly 3 elements
of order 2.

ˆ Let G be an abelian group of order 120 = 23 · 3 · 5.

All elements of order 2 will be contained in its Sylow 2-subgroup G2 , say and |G2 | = 23 .
isomorphism classes of groups of order 8 are:

Z8 , Z4 × Z2 , Z2 × Z2 × Z2 .

(i) Z8 has exactly one element of order 2.

Thus, Z8 is not a factor of a possible isomorphism class.

(ii) All non-zero elements of Z2 × Z2 × Z2 are of order 2. There are 7 of them.

Thus, Z2 × Z2 × Z2 is not a factor of a possible isomorphism class.
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(iii) If G2 = Z4 × Z2 = ⟨u⟩ × ⟨v⟩ with o(u) = 4, o(v) = 2.

Then the elements of order 2 are:

(u2 , 0), (0, v), (u2 , v) which are three elements of order 2.

Then the isomorphism class of G will be

Z4 × Z2 × Z3 × Z5 ∼
= Z2 × Z60 .

(3) Prove that Z8 is not isomorphic to Z2 × Z2 × Z2 .

ˆ Suppose there were an isomorphism

ϕ : Z8 −→ Z2 × Z2 × Z2 , and let ϕ(1)(a, b, c).

ϕ(2) = ϕ(1 + 1) = ϕ(1) + ϕ(1), ϕ a group homomorphism

= (a, b, c) + (a, b, c)
Then
= (2a, 2b, 2c)
= (0, 0, 0).
Thus 2 ∈ Ker(ϕ) thus ϕ is not one-to-one, and ϕ is not an isomorphism.
We conclude that Z8 is not isomorphic to Z2 × Z2 × Z2 .

(4) Let G be a non-cyclic abelian group of order 36.

If n = max {order(g) : g ∈ G and g ̸= iG }.
What are the possible values of n?
In each case, determine the number of elements of G of that order.

ˆ Since |G| = 36 = 22 · 32 , then the Sylow 2-subgroup of G is either isomorphic to Z4 or

Z2 × Z2 and the Sylow 3-subgroup is either isomorphic to Z9 or Z3 × Z3 .
The isomorphism classes are

(a) Z4 × Z9 ∼
= Z36 ,

(b) Z4 × Z3 × Z3 ∼
= Z3 × Z12 ,

(c) Z2 × Z2 × Z9 ∼
= Z2 × Z18 ,

(c) Z2 × Z2 × Z3 × Z3 ∼
= Z6 × Z6 .
Since G is non cyclic, either:

(i) G ∼
= Z3 × Z12 and n = 12 or,

(ii) G ∼
= Z2 × Z18 and n = 18 or,

(iii) G ∼
= Z6 × Z6 and n = 6.
Exercise: Determine the number of elements in each case.