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If I have topological groups $H \le K \le G$, I could prove that if $H \trianglelefteq K$ then $\overline{H} \trianglelefteq K$ but is it also true that $H \trianglelefteq \overline{K}$?

roi_saumon
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1 Answers1

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If $H$ is a normal subgroup of $G$, then it is normal in any intermediate subgroup $K'$, since it is closed under conjugation by any element $g\in K'$.
In particular, this holds for $K'=\bar K$.

So, the following statements are true in this case: $$H\trianglelefteq K,\quad H\trianglelefteq \bar K,\quad \bar H\trianglelefteq \bar K\,.$$ However, the forth statement, $\bar H\trianglelefteq K$ only holds if $\bar H\subseteq K$, which is not guaranteed in general, for example if $K$ is assumed to be closed.

Berci
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  • Thank you. While reading your answer I realised I made a typo in the question. It should be $H \trianglelefteq K$ then $\overline{H} \trianglelefteq K$ (as you point out, provided $\overline{H}\subset K$) – roi_saumon Jul 14 '20 at 22:17
  • Ok, then your solution is probably fine. I think also in this case $H\trianflelefteteq\bar K$ follows, though that's a different question. – Berci Jul 14 '20 at 22:22