Exercise · ZW-DIRECT-PRODUCT-OF-GROUPS-006 · ★★☆ Intermediate

What is the order of \((3,2)\) in \(\mathbb{Z}_8\times\mathbb{Z}_{12}\)?

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  • C. 24

Explanation

The order of \(3\) in \(\mathbb{Z}_8\) is 8 and that of \(2\) in \(\mathbb{Z}_{12}\) is 6. The order of the pair is the least common multiple, \(\operatorname{lcm}(8,6)=24\), not the product (48) or the sum (14).

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Review the concept: Direct product of groups

The direct product \(G\times H\) of two groups \(G\) and \(H\) is the set of pairs \((g,h)\), with \(g\in G\) and \(h\in H\), with the operation defined componentwise.

\[(g_1,h_1)(g_2,h_2)=(g_1g_2,\;h_1h_2)\]

More practice problems: direct product of groups

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