Question #160328

Determine values of n for which Dihedral group Dn is nilpotent.


1
Expert's answer
2021-02-03T01:18:57-0500

We denote by D2nD_{2n} the dihedral group of order 2n2n.

D2nD_{2n} is nilpotent if n a power of 2: n=2mn=2^m with m0m\geq0. In fact,

Suppose D2nD_{2 n} is nilpotent. Let pp be prime number which divides nn . Then rn/pr^{n / p} is an element of D2nD_{2 n} order pp, so rn/prn/pr^{n / p} \neq r^{-n / p} . Let s=2|s|=2 and rn/p=p|r^{n / p}|=p are relatively prime, so that, srn/p=rn/pss r^{n / p}=r^{n / p} s ; a contradiction. Thus no primes divide nn , and we have n=2kn=2^{k}.


reciprocally, we proceed by induction on kk where n=2kn=2^{k}.

For k=0k=0, D2.20Z2D_{2.2^{0}} \cong Z_{2} is abelian, hence nilpotent.

Suppose D2.2kD_{2.2^{k}} is nilpotent. We have Z(D22k+1)=r2k,Z\left(D_{2 \cdot 2^{k+1}}\right)=\left\langle r^{2^{k}}\right\rangle, and so, D22k+1/Z(D22k+1)D22kD_{2 \cdot 2^{k+1}} / Z\left(D_{2 \cdot 2^{k+1}}\right) \cong D_{2 \cdot 2^{k}} is nilpotent. Thus, D22k+1D_{2 \cdot 2^{k+1}} is nilpotent.



Need a fast expert's response?

Submit order

and get a quick answer at the best price

for any assignment or question with DETAILED EXPLANATIONS!

Comments

No comments. Be the first!
LATEST TUTORIALS
APPROVED BY CLIENTS