[Math] What exactly is a coset

abstract-algebragroup-theory

If $G$ is a group and $H$ a subgroup of $G$, then the set $gH = \{gh \mid h \in H\} = \{g, gh_1, gh_2,\ldots\}$ is a "left coset" of $G$ wrt $H.$

So does this basically mean, that when I multiply some element of group $H$ on the left by some element from the group $G$, this is a left coset? Doing this multiple times with multiple elements from $G$ and $H$ will give me the set of left cosets? The same for right cosets.

Why is this important then? If the cosets have a one to one relation (like in the Orbit Stabiliser theorem), does that imply a bijection? As one element from the group $G$ is mapped to only another element in $H$ and each of these "outcomes" are unique?

Best Answer

If you "multiply some element of $H$ on the left by some element from the group $G$", that is not a coset. If you multiply all elements of $H$ on the left by one element of $G$, the set of products is a coset.

If $H$ happens to be a normal subgroup (i.e. its left cosets are the same as its right cosets), then one can actually multiply cosets, and that gives another group, the quotient group $G/H$.

(I'm having trouble figuring out what you're trying to say in your last paragraph.)

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