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Date May 2016 Marks available 4 Reference code 16M.3srg.hl.TZ0.1
Level HL only Paper Paper 3 Sets, relations and groups Time zone TZ0
Command term Solve Question number 1 Adapted from N/A

Question

The following Cayley table for the binary operation multiplication modulo 9, denoted by , is defined on the set S={1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8}S={1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8}.

Copy and complete the table.

[3]
a.

Show that {S, }{S, } is an Abelian group.

[5]
b.

Determine the orders of all the elements of {S, }{S, }.

[3]
c.

(i)     Find the two proper subgroups of {S, }{S, }.

(ii)     Find the coset of each of these subgroups with respect to the element 5.

[4]
d.

Solve the equation 2x4x4=22x4x4=2.

[4]
e.

Markscheme

M16/5/MATHL/HP3/ENG/TZ0/SG/M/01.a     A3

Note:     Award A3 for correct table, A2 for one or two errors, A1 for three or four errors and A0 otherwise.

[3 marks]

a.

the table contains only elements of SS, showing closure     R1

the identity is 1     A1

every element has an inverse since 1 appears in every row and column, or a complete list of elements and their correct inverses     A1

multiplication of numbers is associative     A1

the four axioms are satisfied therefore {S, }{S, } is a group

the group is Abelian because the table is symmetric (about the leading diagonal)     A1

[5 marks]

b.

M16/5/MATHL/HP3/ENG/TZ0/SG/M/01.c     A3

Note:     Award A3 for all correct values, A2 for 5 correct, A1 for 4 correct and A0 otherwise.

[3 marks]

c.

(i)     the subgroups are {1, 8}{1, 8}; {1, 4, 7}{1, 4, 7}     A1A1

(ii)     the cosets are {4, 5}{4, 5}; {2, 5, 8}{2, 5, 8}     A1A1

[4 marks]

d.

METHOD 1

use of algebraic manipulations     M1

and at least one result from the table, used correctly     A1

x=2x=2    A1

x=7x=7    A1

METHOD 2

testing at least one value in the equation     M1

obtain x=2x=2     A1

obtain x=7x=7     A1

explicit rejection of all other values     A1

[4 marks]

e.

Examiners report

The majority of candidates were able to complete the Cayley table correctly.

a.

Generally well done. However, it is not good enough for a candidate to say something along the lines of 'the operation is closed or that inverses exist by looking at the Cayley table'. A few candidates thought they only had to prove commutativity.

b.

Often well done. A few candidates stated extra, and therefore incorrect subgroups.

c.
[N/A]
d.

The majority found only one solution, usually the obvious x=2x=2, but sometimes only the less obvious x=7x=7.

e.

Syllabus sections

Topic 8 - Option: Sets, relations and groups
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