Maths WorkshopMaths problems with full solutions
Exercise 2149Algebra › GroupsM1Added 3 Nov 2026

Structure of finite abelian groups

#abelian group#structure theorem#decomposition

Statement

Classify all abelian groups of order 1212.

Hint

12=22⋅312=2^2\cdot3. Decompose into Sylow subgroups: G≅G2×G3G\cong G_2\times G_3 with ∣G2∣=4|G_2|=4, ∣G3∣=3|G_3|=3.

Show solutionHide solution

Solution

Sylow decomposition. Since GG is abelian, G≅G2×G3G\cong G_2\times G_3 with G2G_2 the Sylow 22-subgroup (order 44) and G3G_3 the Sylow 33-subgroup (order 33).

G3G_3. Unique abelian group of order 33: Z/3Z\mathbb{Z}/3\mathbb{Z}.

G2G_2. Abelian groups of order 44: Z/4Z\mathbb{Z}/4\mathbb{Z} and Z/2Z×Z/2Z\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}\times\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}.

Classification. The abelian groups of order 1212 are:
- Z/4Z×Z/3Z≅Z/12Z\mathbb{Z}/4\mathbb{Z}\times\mathbb{Z}/3\mathbb{Z}\cong\mathbb{Z}/12\mathbb{Z};
- (Z/2Z)2×Z/3Z≅Z/2Z×Z/6Z(\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z})^2\times\mathbb{Z}/3\mathbb{Z}\cong\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}\times\mathbb{Z}/6\mathbb{Z}.

Conclusion. Two abelian groups of order 1212 up to isomorphism.