[Math] How to prove if $G$ is a group with every non-identity element having order 2 and $H$ is a subgroup, $G/H$ is isomorphic to a subgroup of $G$.

abstract-algebragroup-theory

This isn't a homework problem. I'm preparing for an exam, and I have no idea how to solve this problem.

Let $G$ is a group such that every non-identity element has order $2$. Let $H$ be a subgroup. Prove $G/H$ is isomorphic to a subgroup of $G$.

The fact that every non-identity element has order $2$ means $G$ is abelian (since for all $a, b \in G, (ab)(ab) = e \implies ba = a^{-1}b^{-1}$, but $a = a^{-1}$ since $a^{2} = e$, and likewise $b= b^{-1}$, so $ba = ab$).

Since $G$ is abelian, $H$ is a normal subgroup of $G$. So $G/H$ is a group. Now what? I know that subgroups of $G/H$ are in $1-1$ correspondence with subgroups of $G$ containing $H$. Does this help?

Best Answer

Since $G$ is Abelian, I’ll write it additively. Say that $A\subseteq G$ is independent if $\sum F\ne 0_G$ for all finite $F\subseteq A$. Use Zorn’s lemma to get a maximal independent $B\subseteq G$. Show that for each $x\in G$ there is a finite $F_x\subseteq B$ such that $x=\sum F_x$; then show that $F_x$ is unique and infer that $G$ is a vector space over $\Bbb F_2$ with basis $B$.

Now modify the construction by first getting a basis $B_H$ for $H$ and then extending it to a basis $B$ for $G$, and show that $G/H$ is isomorphic to the subgroup generated by $B\setminus B_H$.