Z-Module Associated with a Group
Theorem
Let $\left({G, *}\right)$ be an abelian group.
Let $\left({\Z, +, \times}\right)$ be the ring of integers.
Let $\circ$ be the mapping from $\Z \times G$ to $G$ defined as:
- $\forall n \in \Z: \forall x \in G: n \circ x = *^n x$
where $*^n x$ is defined as in Index Laws for Monoids:
- $*^n x = x * x * \ldots (n) \ldots * x$
Then $\left({G, *, \circ}\right)_\Z$ is a unitary $\Z$-module.
This is called the $\Z$-module associated with $G$.
Proof
The notation $*^n x$ can be written as $x^n$.
- Module $(1)$: We need to show that $n \circ \left({x * y}\right) = \left({n \circ x}\right) * \left({n \circ y}\right)$.
From the definition, $n \circ x = x^n$ and so $n \circ \left({x * y}\right) = \left({x * y}\right)^n$
From Power of Product in Abelian Group, $\left({x * y}\right)^n = x^n * y^n = \left({n \circ x}\right) * \left({n \circ y}\right)$.
- Module $(2)$: We need to show that $\left({n + m}\right) \circ x = \left({n \circ x}\right) * \left({m \circ x}\right)$.
That is, that $x^{n + m} = x^n * x^m$.
This is an instance of Powers of Group Elements: Sum of Indices.
- Module $(3)$: We need to show that $\left({n \times m}\right) \circ x = n \circ \left({m \circ x}\right)$.
That is, that $x^{nm} = \left({x^m}\right)^n$.
This also follows directly from Powers of Group Elements: Product of Indices; no further comment required.
- Module $(4)$: We need to show that $\forall x \in G: 1 \circ x = x$.
That is, that $x^1 = x$, and of course by Power of an Element it does.
$\blacksquare$
Sources
- Seth Warner: Modern Algebra (1965)... (previous)... (next): $\S 26$: Example $26.7$