Let G be a group of order 6, and H be a subgroup of G such that 1 < |H| < 6. Which one of the following options is correct?
Topic-wise GATE CS PYQs with verified steps
GATE CSE 2021 Set 1 · Q34
Time
Select one answerSingle correct
Solution
Official answer: B) G may not be cyclic, but H is always cyclic.
Discrete MathematicsAccording to Lagrange's Theorem, the order of any subgroup of a finite group must divide the order of .
Given and , the possible values for are the proper divisors of , which are and .
Every group of prime order is cyclic. Since both and are prime numbers, any subgroup of order or must be cyclic. Thus, is always cyclic.
A group of order can be isomorphic to either the cyclic group (which is cyclic) or the symmetric group (which is non-abelian and therefore not cyclic). Thus, may not be cyclic.
Therefore, may not be cyclic, but is always cyclic, which corresponds to option (B).
Try the question first, then check your work.
Examiner trap
Recall Lagrange's Theorem for the possible orders of , and consider whether every group of prime order is cyclic and whether all groups of order (such as ) are cyclic.
This Discrete Mathematics previous year question is Q34 of the GATE CSE 2021 Set 1 paper. Find more GATE CSE PYQs on Discrete Mathematics in Engineering Mathematics, or browse all GATE CSE PYQs.
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Discrete Mathematics has 50 GATE CSE PYQs across 23 papers from 2011 to 2026. 11 of them are 2-mark MCQs like this one, and GATE CSE 2021 Set 1 has 3.
How GATE tests Discrete MathematicsIndependent practice explanation verified by the GateAI team. GATE is conducted by the IITs; question text follows the official paper.