# Torsion group

(Redirected from Periodic group)
Jump to: navigation, search

2010 Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary: 20-XX [MSN][ZBL]

A torsion group (also called periodic group) is a group in which every element has finite order. Any torsion Abelian group splits into a direct sum of primary groups with respect to distinct prime numbers. See Burnside problem on torsion groups for finiteness conditions of torsion groups.

#### Comments

For any group $G$, its torsion subgroup is defined by $T(G) = \{ g\in G \;|\; \exists n\in\N \textrm{ such that } g^n = e\}$. It is a normal subgroup and the quotient $F(G) = G/T(G)$ is the torsion-free quotient group of $G$. Both $T(\;.\;)$ and $F(\;.\;)$ are functors.

#### References

 [Ha] P. Hall, "The theory of groups", Macmillan (1959) pp. Chapt. 10 MR0103215 Zbl 0084.02202 [Ku] A.G. Kurosh, "The theory of groups", 1–2, Chelsea (1955–1956) (Translated from Russian) MR0071422 Zbl 0111.02502 [Ro] D.J.S. Robinson, "Finiteness condition and generalized soluble groups", I, Springer (1972) MR0332990 MR0332989
How to Cite This Entry:
Periodic group. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Periodic_group&oldid=25720