Inner Automorphism is Automorphism
Theorem
Let $G$ be a group.
Let $x \in G$.
Let $\kappa_x$ be the inner automorphism of $x$ in $G$.
Then $\kappa_x$ is an automorphism of $G$.
Proof
By definition, $\kappa_x: G \to G$ is a mapping defined as:
- $\forall g \in G: \map {\kappa_x} g = x g x^{-1}$
We need to show that $\kappa_x$ is an automorphism.
First we show $\kappa_x$ is a homomorphism.
\(\ds \forall g, h \in G: \, \) | \(\ds \map {\kappa_x} g \map {\kappa_x} h\) | \(=\) | \(\ds \paren {x g x^{-1} } \paren {x h x^{-1} }\) | Definition of $\kappa_x$ | ||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds x g \paren {x^{-1} x} h x^{-1}\) | Group Axiom $\text G 1$: Associativity | |||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds x \paren {g e h} x^{-1}\) | Group Axiom $\text G 3$: Existence of Inverse Element | |||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds x \paren {g h} x^{-1}\) | Group Axiom $\text G 2$: Existence of Identity Element | |||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds \map {\kappa_x} {g h}\) | Definition of $\kappa_x$ |
Thus the morphism property is demonstrated.
Next we show that $\kappa_x$ is injective.
\(\ds \map {\kappa_x} g\) | \(=\) | \(\ds \map {\kappa_x} h\) | ||||||||||||
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) | \(\ds x g x^{-1}\) | \(=\) | \(\ds x h x^{-1}\) | Definition of $\kappa_x$ | ||||||||||
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) | \(\ds g\) | \(=\) | \(\ds h\) | Cancellation Laws |
So $\kappa_x$ is injective.
Finally we show that $\kappa_x$ is surjective.
Note that $\forall h \in G: x^{-1} h x \in G$ from fact that $G$ is a group and therefore closed. So:
\(\ds \forall h \in G: \, \) | \(\ds \map {\kappa_x} {x^{-1} h x}\) | \(=\) | \(\ds x \paren {x^{-1} h x} x^{-1}\) | Definition of $\kappa_x$ | ||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds \paren {x x^{-1} } h \paren {x x^{-1} }\) | Group Axiom $\text G 1$: Associativity | |||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds e h e\) | Group Axiom $\text G 3$: Existence of Inverse Element | |||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds h\) | Group Axiom $\text G 2$: Existence of Identity Element |
![]() | This article needs to be linked to other articles. You can help $\mathsf{Pr} \infty \mathsf{fWiki}$ by adding these links. To discuss this page in more detail, feel free to use the talk page. When this work has been completed, you may remove this instance of {{MissingLinks}} from the code. |
Thus every element of $G$ is the image of some element of $G$ under $\kappa_x$ (that is, of $x^{-1} h x$), and surjectivity is proved.
Since $\kappa_x$ is injective and surjective, it is bijective.
Since $\kappa_x$ is a homomorphism that is bijective, it is a (group) isomorphism.
Hence, $\kappa_x: G \to G$ is a (group) isomorphism from $G$ to itself, which is by definition, an automorphism of $G$.
$\blacksquare$
Also see
- Conjugate of Subgroup is Subgroup: Performing an inner automorphism of a subgroup
Sources
- 1965: J.A. Green: Sets and Groups ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 7.1$. Homomorphisms: Example $131$
- 1965: Seth Warner: Modern Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {II}$: New Structures from Old: $\S 11$: Quotient Structures: Exercise $11.8 \ \text{(a)}$
- 1966: Richard A. Dean: Elements of Abstract Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 1.10$: Theorem $27$
- 1967: George McCarty: Topology: An Introduction with Application to Topological Groups ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text{II}$: Groups: Problem $\text{AA}$
- 1971: Allan Clark: Elements of Abstract Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $2$: Group Homomorphism and Isomorphism: $\S 64$
- 1978: Thomas A. Whitelaw: An Introduction to Abstract Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $8$: Homomorphisms, Normal Subgroups and Quotient Groups: Exercise $25$
- 1982: P.M. Cohn: Algebra Volume 1 (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 3.2$: Groups; the axioms: Exercise $(10)$
- 1996: John F. Humphreys: A Course in Group Theory ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $8$: The Homomorphism Theorem: Proposition $8.17$