# Definition:Coset Space/Left Coset Space

## Definition

Let $G$ be a group.

Let $H$ be a subgroup of $G$.

The left coset space (of $G$ modulo $H$) is the quotient set of $G$ by left congruence modulo $H$, denoted $G / H^l$.

It is the set of all the left cosets of $H$ in $G$.

## Also known as

Some sources call this the left quotient set.

Others call it the left coset family.

Others use the term left coset decomposition.

Some sources use a hyphen: left-coset space or left-coset family, and so on.

## Notation

If we are (as is usual) concerned at a particular time with only the right or the left coset space, then the superscript is usually dropped.

Thus the notation $G / H$ is used for both the right and left coset space.

If, in addition, $H$ is a normal subgroup of $G$, then $G / H^l = G / H^r$ and the notation $G / H$ is then unambiguous anyway.

Some sources use $G \divides H$ for the left coset space, reserving $G / H$ for the right coset space.

This notation is rarely encountered, and can be a source of confusion.