[Math] If G has a normal subgroup of index p, prove that G has at least one element of order p.

abstract-algebra

I'm totally lost on this one.

If $G$ has a normal subgroup of index $p$, prove that $G$ has at least one element of order $p$.

EDIT:

Could you use Cauchy's Theorem?

Let $H$ be a normal subgroup of $G$, with index $p$ where $G$ is finite and $p$ is prime.

Then $(G:H)$ = $|G|$$/$$|H|$ = $p$, by the definition of index.

So $|G| = |H|*p$

By Cauchy's Theorem, if $G$ is a finite group, and $p$ is a prime divisor of $|G|$, then $G$ has an element of order $p$.

Best Answer

The order of $G/N$ is prime, thus it is cyclic.