Question
- Compute the subgroups of the symmetry group of a square.
Ask by Patel Nguyen. in the United States
Mar 17,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
The symmetry group of a square,
, has 8 elements consisting of rotations and reflections. Its subgroups include:
- The trivial group with just the identity.
- Four subgroups of order 2, each containing the identity and one reflection.
- Three subgroups of order 4, each containing the identity, a 180-degree rotation, and two reflections.
- The entire group
itself.
These subgroups represent all possible combinations of rotations and reflections that map the square onto itself.
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Beyond the Answer
The symmetry group of a square, known as the dihedral group
, consists of 8 elements: 4 rotations (0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°) and 4 reflections (vertical, horizontal, and two diagonal). The subgroups of
include the trivial group, the group containing all rotations, and other combinations of the reflections and rotations. Notably, you have subgroups such as
,
for the 180° rotation, and groups like
formed solely by the rotations.
To delve into a more fun perspective, think of the square’s symmetries like dance moves! Each element represents a different twist or turn your dancer can take. The rotations are like spinning around, while the reflections are akin to flipping your position in a mirror. Just as in a good dance routine, understanding which moves go well together is key to creating stunning choreography – or in this case, subgroups!