# A group G isomorph to the product group G x G

Let’s provide an example of a nontrivial group $$G$$ such that $$G \cong G \times G$$. For a finite group $$G$$ of order $$\vert G \vert =n > 1$$, the order of $$G \times G$$ is equal to $$n^2$$. Hence we have to look at infinite groups in order to get the example we’re seeking for.

We take for $$G$$ the infinite direct product $G = \prod_{n \in \mathbb N} \mathbb Z_2 = \mathbb Z_2 \times \mathbb Z_2 \times \mathbb Z_2 \dots,$ where $$\mathbb Z_2$$ is endowed with the addition. Now let’s consider the map $\begin{array}{l|rcl} \phi : & G & \longrightarrow & G \times G \\ & (g_1,g_2,g_3, \dots) & \longmapsto & ((g_1,g_3, \dots ),(g_2, g_4, \dots)) \end{array}$

From the definition of the addition in $$G$$ it follows that $$\phi$$ is a group homomorphism. $$\phi$$ is onto as for any element $$\overline{g}=((g_1, g_2, g_3, \dots),(g_1^\prime, g_2^\prime, g_3^\prime, \dots))$$ in $$G \times G$$, $$g = (g_1, g_1^\prime, g_2, g_2^\prime, \dots)$$ is an inverse image of $$\overline{g}$$ under $$\phi$$. Also the identity element $$e=(\overline{0},\overline{0}, \dots)$$ of $$G$$ is the only element of the kernel of $$G$$. Hence $$\phi$$ is also one-to-one. Finally $$\phi$$ is a group isomorphism between $$G$$ and $$G \times G$$.

# An infinite group whose proper subgroups are all finite

We study some properties of the Prüfer $$p$$-group $$\mathbb{Z}_{p^\infty}$$ for a prime number $$p$$. The Prüfer $$p$$-group may be identified with the subgroup of the circle group, consisting of all $$p^n$$-th roots of unity as $$n$$ ranges over all non-negative integers:
$\mathbb{Z}_{p^\infty}=\bigcup_{k=0}^\infty \mathbb{Z}_{p^k} \text{ where } \mathbb{Z}_{p^k}= \{e^{\frac{2 i \pi m}{p^k}} \ | \ 0 \le m \le p^k-1\}$

### $$\mathbb{Z}_{p^\infty}$$ is a group

First, let’s notice that for $$0 \le m \le n$$ integers we have $$\mathbb{Z}_{p^m} \subseteq \mathbb{Z}_{p^n}$$ as $$p^m | p^n$$. Also for $$m \ge 0$$ $$\mathbb{Z}_{p^m}$$ is a subgroup of the circle group. We also notice that all elements of $$\mathbb{Z}_{p^\infty}$$ have finite orders which are powers of $$p$$. Continue reading An infinite group whose proper subgroups are all finite

# A (not finitely generated) group isomorphic to a proper quotient group

The basic question that we raise here is the following one: given a group $$G$$ and a proper subgroup $$H$$ (i.e. $$H \notin \{\{1\},G\}$$, can $$G/H$$ be isomorphic to $$G$$? A group $$G$$ is said to be hopfian (after Heinz Hopf) if it is not isomorphic with a proper quotient group.

All finite groups are hopfian as $$|G/H| = |G| \div |H|$$. Also, all simple groups are hopfian as a simple group doesn’t have proper subgroups.

So we need to turn ourselves to infinite groups to uncover non hopfian groups. Continue reading A (not finitely generated) group isomorphic to a proper quotient group