Question:hard

In the dihedral group \(D_5=\{r,s:\; r^5=e,\; s^2=e,\; sr=r^{-1}s\}\) under composition as the binary operation, which of the following options is NOT true?

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Check order, commutativity, center, and count all normal subgroups (including trivial and whole group) of D5.
Updated On: Jul 3, 2026
  • \(D_5\) is a non-commutative group
  • Order of \(D_5\) is 10
  • \(Z(D_5)=\{e\}\)
  • Number of normal subgroups of \(D_5\) is 2
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Alternate approach using general dihedral group theory.
Recall standard facts about $D_n = \langle r,s \mid r^n=e, s^2=e, srs^{-1}=r^{-1}\rangle$, the symmetry group of a regular $n$-gon, of order $2n$:
$\bullet$ $D_n$ is non-abelian for every $n\ge 3$, since $srs^{-1}=r^{-1}\ne r$. With $n=5$, $D_5$ is non-commutative, so option (A) is true.
$\bullet$ $|D_n|=2n$ always, so $|D_5|=2(5)=10$, confirming option (B).
$\bullet$ The center of $D_n$ is $\{e\}$ when $n$ is odd, and $\{e,r^{n/2}\}$ when $n$ is even. Since $n=5$ is odd, $Z(D_5)=\{e\}$, confirming option (C).
$\bullet$ For normal subgroups: the rotation subgroup $\langle r\rangle$ (index 2) is always normal, and when $n$ is odd every reflection lies in a single conjugacy class of size $n$, so no reflection subgroup is normal. The complete list of normal subgroups of $D_5$ is therefore $\{e\}$, $\langle r\rangle$, and $D_5$ itself: exactly 3 normal subgroups, not 2.
So option (D)'s claim of 2 normal subgroups is incorrect, making it the statement that is NOT true. \[\boxed{\text{(D)}}\]
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