Associativity and commutativity are two of the five conditions for a set S with the binary operation \( * \) to be an Abelian group; state the other three conditions.

The Cayley table for the binary operation \( \odot \) defined on the set T = {p, q, r, s, t} is given below.

(i)     Show that exactly three of the conditions for {T , \( \odot \)} to be an Abelian group are satisfied, but that neither associativity nor commutativity are satisfied. 

(ii)     Find the proper subsets of T that are groups of order 2, and comment on your result in the context of Lagrange’s theorem. 

(iii)     Find the solutions of the equation \((p \odot x) \odot x = x \odot p\) .

closure, identity, inverse     A2 

Note: Award A1 for two correct properties, A0 otherwise.

[2 marks]

(i)     closure: there are no extra elements in the table     R1

identity: s is a (left and right) identity     R1

inverses: all elements are self-inverse     R1

commutative: no, because the table is not symmetrical about the leading diagonal, or by counterexample     R1

associativity: for example, \((pq)t = rt = p\)     M1A1

not associative because \(p(qt) = pr = t \ne p\)     R1 

Note: Award M1A1 for 1 complete example whether or not it shows non-associativity.

(ii)     \(\{ s,\,p\} ,{\text{ }}\{ s,\,q\} ,{\text{ }}\{ s,\,r\} ,{\text{ }}\{ s,\,t\} \)     A2 

Note: Award A1 for 2 or 3 correct sets.

as 2 does not divide 5, Lagrange’s theorem would have been contradicted if T had been a group     R1

(iii)     any attempt at trying values     (M1)

the solutions are q, r, s and t     A1A1A1A1 

Note: Deduct A1 if p is included.

[15 marks]

This was on the whole a well answered question and it was rare for a candidate not to obtain full marks on part (a). In part (b) the vast majority of candidates were able to show that the set satisfied the properties of a group apart from associativity which they were also familiar with. Virtually all candidates knew the difference between commutativity and associativity and were able to distinguish between the two. Candidates were familiar with Lagrange’s Theorem and many were able to see how it did not apply in the case of this problem. Many candidates found a solution method to part (iii) of the problem and obtained full marks.

This was on the whole a well answered question and it was rare for a candidate not to obtain full marks on part (a). In part (b) the vast majority of candidates were able to show that the set satisfied the properties of a group apart from associativity which they were also familiar with. Virtually all candidates knew the difference between commutativity and associativity and were able to distinguish between the two. Candidates were familiar with Lagrange’s Theorem and many were able to see how it did not apply in the case of this problem. Many candidates found a solution method to part (iii) of the problem and obtained full marks.