Basis of subgroup of a free abelian group

Question

We have this theorem:

** Let $F$ be a free abelian group of rank $n$ and let $H$ be a subgroup of $F.$ There exists a basis $\{x_1,...,x_n\}$ of $F$ and integers $d_1,...,d_r > 0 $ such that

• $di\vert d_{i+1}$ for $i = 1,...,r$

• $\{d_1x_1,\ldots,d_rx_r\}$ is a basis of H.**

I am confused with this. $\mathbb{Z}*\mathbb{Z}$ is a free abelian group with basis $(1,0)$ and $(0,1)$. Let $H=2\mathbb{Z}*3\mathbb{Z}$ be a subgroup of $\mathbb{Z}*\mathbb{Z}$ with basis $2(1,0)$ and $3(0,1)$. $\mathbf {But}$ $2$ does not divide $3$. What is the problem here?

i searched it many times but did't get my answer.can anybody help me? — saba wazir, Feb 05 '19 at 10:06
The theorem doesn't say that any basis of $;H;$ will fulfill that. It only says that some basis exists such that...etc. — DonAntonio, Feb 05 '19 at 10:08

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 05 '19 at 11:00

2

In your example, take $\;B:=\{\,(2,3)\,,\,(1,2)\,\}\;$ , then show:

1) $\;B\;$ is a $\,\Bbb Z\,-$ linearly independent set and is thus a basis of $\;\Bbb Z\times\Bbb Z\;$ ;

2) $\;C:=\left\{\,1\cdot(2,3)\,,\,6\cdot(1,2)\,\}=\{\,(2,3)\,,\,\,(6,12)\,\right\}\;$ are $\;\Bbb Z\,-$ linearly independent and a basis of $\;2\Bbb Z\times3\Bbb Z\;$ as required.

answered Feb 05 '19 at 11:00

DonAntonio

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Thanks for clearing my idea about this theorem – saba wazir Feb 05 '19 at 16:42

Basis of subgroup of a free abelian group

1 Answers1