Centralizer is Normal Subgroup of Normalizer
Theorem
Let $G$ be a group.
Let $H \le G$ be a subgroup of $G$.
Let $\map {C_G} H$ be the centralizer of $H$ in $G$.
Let $\map {N_G} H$ be the normalizer of $H$ in $G$.
Let $\Aut H$ be the automorphism group of $H$.
Then:
- $(1): \quad \map {C_G} H \lhd \map {N_G} H$
- $(2): \quad \map {N_G} H / \map {C_G} H \cong K$
where:
- $\map {N_G} H / \map {C_G} H$ is the quotient group of $\map {N_G} H$ by $\map {C_G} H$
- $K$ is a subgroup of $\Aut H$.
Proof
In order to invoke the First Isomorphism Theorem for Groups, we must construct a group homomorphism $\phi: \map {N_G} H \to \Aut H$.
Consider the mapping $\phi: x \mapsto \paren {g \mapsto x g x^{-1}}$.
From Inner Automorphism is Automorphism, $g \mapsto x g x^{-1}$ is an automorphism of $G$, so $\phi$ is well-defined.
As $\phi$ is an group automorphism, $\phi$ is a fortiori a group homomorphism.
Now we prove that $\ker \phi = \map {C_G} H$.
Note that for $x \in \map {N_G} H$:
\(\ds x\) | \(\in\) | \(\ds \ker \phi\) | ||||||||||||
\(\ds \leadstoandfrom \ \ \) | \(\ds g\) | \(=\) | \(\ds x g x^{-1}\) | \(\ds \forall g \in H\) | $g \mapsto g$ is the identity of $\Aut H$ | |||||||||
\(\ds \leadstoandfrom \ \ \) | \(\ds g x\) | \(=\) | \(\ds x g\) | \(\ds \forall g \in H\) | ||||||||||
\(\ds \leadstoandfrom \ \ \) | \(\ds x\) | \(\in\) | \(\ds \map {C_G} H\) | Definition of Centralizer of Subgroup |
Hence $\ker \phi = \map {C_G} H$.
By Kernel is Normal Subgroup of Domain:
- $\map {C_G} H \lhd \map {N_G} H$
By First Isomorphism Theorem for Groups:
- $\map {N_G} H / \map {C_G} H \cong \Img \phi$
By Image of Group Homomorphism is Subgroup:
- $\Img \phi \le \Aut H$
Hence the result.
$\blacksquare$
Sources
- 1996: John F. Humphreys: A Course in Group Theory ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $10$: The Orbit-Stabiliser Theorem: Proposition $10.26$