[Math] how to prove this statement in modern algebra (finite abelian group)

abstract-algebra

I figure out that Q set of rational number under multiplication form a group but i am stuck in this part could some one show me way out.
Q* the set of all positive rational number forms a free abelian group binary operation under multiplication.

Best Answer

At the request of the OP, I will show a direct proof. Let $G$ be the set of positive rational numbers. $G$ is a group under mutiplications. Let $\Pi$ be the set of prime numbers. We claim $G$ is a free abelian group with a basis $\Pi$.

Let $r \in G$. there exist positive integers $a, b$ such that $r = \frac{a}{b}$. Since $a$ and $b$ can be written as products of prime numbers, $G$ is generated by $\Pi$.

Let $p_1,\dots,p_r$ be distict prime numbers. Suppose $p_1^{n_1}\cdots p_r^{n_r} = 1$, where all $n_i$ are integers. It suffices to prove that all $n_i = 0$. If all $n_i \ge 0$, clearly all $n_i = 0$. Hence we assume not all $n_i \ge 0$. Without loss of generality, we can assume that $n_1, \dots, n_k \ge 0$ and $n_{k+1},\dots n_r < 0$. Then $p_1^{n_1}\cdots p_k^{n_k} = p_{k+1}^{-n_{k+1}}\cdots p_r^{-n_r}$. But this is a contradiction because $\mathbb{Z}$ is a UFD.

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