[Math] Isomorphism of multiplicative group modulo n

abstract-algebragroup-theory

Let's take groups $\mathbb{Z}^*_{12}, \mathbb{Z}^*_{10}$ and $\mathbb{Z}^*_{8}$ (multiplicative groups modulo $12, 10$ and $8$).

The order of all these groups is $4$ (since $\varphi(12) = \varphi(10) = \varphi(8) = 4$).

A multiplicative group modulo n with order of $4$ is known to be cyclic.

Therefore, there must exist an isomorphism between every one of these groups and the additive group $\mathbb{Z}_4^+$. Is that correct?

Best Answer

The groups are

$$(\mathbb Z /12 \mathbb Z)^\times = \{1,5,7,11\}$$

$$(\mathbb Z /10 \mathbb Z)^\times = \{1,3,7,9\}$$

$$(\mathbb Z /8 \mathbb Z)^\times = \{1,3,5,7\}$$

As you can see all groups have the order 2 element -1 in them (11, 9, 7 respectively). ${{{}}}$

But $5^2 = 1$ and $7^2 = 1$ in the first group, whereas $3^2 = -1$ and $7^2 = -1$ in the second. That shows these two groups are not isomorphic.

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