Definition:Composition Series/Definition 1

Definition

Let $G$ be a finite group.

A composition series for $G$ is a normal series for $G$ which has no proper refinement.

Composition Length

Let $\HH$ be a composition series for $G$.

The composition length of $G$ is the length of $\HH$.

Composition Factor

Let $\set e = G_0 \lhd G_1 \lhd \cdots \lhd G_{n - 1} \lhd G_n = G$ be a composition series for $G$.

Each of the quotient groups:

$G_1 / G_0, G_2 / G_1, \ldots, G_n / G_{n - 1}$

are the composition factors of $G$.

Examples

Cyclic Group $C_8$

There is $1$ composition series of the cyclic group $C_8$, up to isomorphism:

$\set e \lhd C_2 \lhd C_4 \lhd C_8$

Quaternion Group $Q$

There is $1$ composition series of the quaternion group $Q$, up to isomorphism:

$\set e \lhd C_2 \lhd C_4 \lhd Q$

where:

$C_n$ denotes the cyclic group of order $n$.

Dihedral Group $D_4$

There are $2$ composition series of the dihedral group $D_4$, up to isomorphism:

$\set e \lhd C_2 \lhd C_4 \lhd D_4$

$\set e \lhd C_2 \lhd K_4 \lhd D_4$

where:

$C_n$ denotes the cyclic group of order $n$.

$K_4$ denotes the Kline $4$-group.

Dihedral Group $D_6$

There are $3$ composition series of the dihedral group $D_6$, up to isomorphism:

$\set e \lhd C_3 \lhd C_6 \lhd D_6$

$\set e \lhd C_2 \lhd C_6 \lhd D_6$

$\set e \lhd C_3 \lhd D_3 \lhd D_6$

where $C_n$ denotes the cyclic group of order $n$.

Also see

• Equivalence of Definitions of Composition Series

• Results about composition series can be found here.

Sources

• 1971: Allan Clark: Elements of Abstract Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $2$: Normal and Composition Series: $\S 73$
• 1978: John S. Rose: A Course on Group Theory ... (previous) ... (next): $1$: Introduction to Finite Group Theory: $1.7$