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Generating set of a group
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==Examples== * The [[Multiplicative_group_of_integers_modulo_n|multiplicative group of integers modulo 9]], {{math|1=U<sub>9</sub> = {{mset|1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8}}}}, is the group of all integers [[Coprime|relatively prime]] to 9 under multiplication {{math|1=[[Modular arithmetic|mod]] 9}}. Note that 7 is not a generator of {{math|U<sub>9</sub>}}, since <br /> <math>\{7^i \bmod{9}\ |\ i \in \mathbb{N}\} = \{7,4,1\},</math> <br />while 2 is, since <br /> <math>\{2^i \bmod{9}\ |\ i \in \mathbb{N}\} = \{2,4,8,7,5,1\}.</math> * On the other hand, ''S''<sub>n</sub>, the [[symmetric group]] of degree ''n'', is not generated by any one element (is not [[Cyclic_group|cyclic]]) when ''n'' > 2. However, in these cases ''S''<sub>n</sub> can always be generated by two permutations which are written in [[Permutation#Cycle_notation|cycle notation]] as (1 2) and {{math|1=(1 2 3 ... ''n'')}}. For example, the 6 elements of ''S''<sub>3</sub> can be generated from the two generators, (1 2) and (1 2 3), as shown by the right hand side of the following equations (composition is left-to-right): :''e'' = (1 2)(1 2) :(1 2) = (1 2) :(1 3) = (1 2)(1 2 3) :(2 3) = (1 2 3)(1 2) :(1 2 3) = (1 2 3) :(1 3 2) = (1 2)(1 2 3)(1 2) * Infinite groups can also have finite generating sets. The additive group of integers has 1 as a generating set. The element 2 is not a generating set, as the odd numbers will be missing. The two-element subset {{math|1={{mset|3, 5}}}} is a generating set, since {{math|1=(−5) + 3 + 3 = 1}} (in fact, any pair of [[Coprime integers|coprime]] numbers is, as a consequence of [[Bézout's identity]]). * The [[dihedral group]] of an [[Polygon|n-gon]] (which has [[Order_(group_theory)|order]] {{math|1=2n}}) is generated by the set {{math|1={{mset|{{var|r}}, {{var|s}}}}}}, where {{mvar|r}} represents rotation by {{math|1=2''π''/{{var|n}}}} and {{mvar|s}} is any reflection across a line of symmetry.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Abstract algebra|last=Dummit |first=David S.|date=2004|publisher=Wiley|last2=Foote |first2=Richard M. |isbn=9780471452348|edition=3rd |oclc=248917264|page=25}}</ref> * The [[cyclic group]] of order <math>n</math>, <math>\mathbb{Z}/n\mathbb{Z}</math>, and the <math>n</math><sup>th</sup> [[Root of unity|roots of unity]] are all generated by a single element (in fact, these groups are [[Group isomorphism|isomorphic]] to one another).<ref>{{harvnb|Dummit|Foote|2004|p=54}}</ref> * A [[presentation of a group]] is defined as a set of generators and a collection of relations between them, so any of the examples listed on that page contain examples of generating sets.<ref>{{harvnb|Dummit|Foote|2004|p=26}}</ref>
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