Exercise · ZW-DIRECT-PRODUCT-OF-GROUPS-007 · ★★☆ Intermediate

Which of the following groups is cyclic?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • B. \(\mathbb{Z}_3\times\mathbb{Z}_8\)

Explanation

An element \((a,b)\) generates all of \(\mathbb{Z}_m\times\mathbb{Z}_n\) only if its order \(\operatorname{lcm}\) reaches \(mn\), which requires \(\gcd(m,n)=1\). Here \(\gcd(3,8)=1\), whereas the other three pairs of moduli share a factor 2 or 3.

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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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