Exercise · ZW-GENERATED-SUBGROUP-009 · ★★★ Advanced

In \((\mathbb{Z}_{18},+)\), which of the following elements generates the same subgroup as \(4\)?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • D. 8

Explanation

\(\langle 4\rangle\) is the 9 even residues of \(\mathbb{Z}_{18}\), since \(\gcd(4,18)=2\). An element generates the same subgroup when its gcd with 18 is also 2: that holds for 8. Those with gcd 6 or 9 generate smaller subgroups.

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Review the concept: Generated subgroup

The subgroup generated by a subset \(S\) of a group \(G\) is the smallest subgroup \(H\) of \(G\) containing \(S\); it is denoted \(\langle S\rangle\) and \(S\) is called a generating set.

\[\langle S\rangle=\bigcap_{S\subseteq H\le G}H\]

More practice problems: generated subgroup

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