Properties
Since topological groups are homogeneous, one need only look at a single point to determine if the topological group is discrete. In particular, a topological group is discrete if and only if the singleton containing the identity is an open set.
A discrete group is the same thing as a zero-dimensional Lie group (uncountable discrete groups are not second-countable so authors who require Lie groups to satisfy this axiom do not regard these groups as Lie groups). The identity component of a discrete group is just the trivial subgroup while the group of components is isomorphic to the group itself.
Since the only Hausdorff topology on a finite set is the discrete one, a finite Hausdorff topological group must necessarily be discrete. It follows that every finite subgroup of a Hausdorff group is discrete.
A discrete subgroup H of G is cocompact if there is a compact subset K of G such that HK = G.
Discrete normal subgroups play an important role in the theory of covering groups and locally isomorphic groups. A discrete normal subgroup of a connected group G necessarily lies in the center of G and is therefore abelian.
Other properties:
- every discrete group is totally disconnected
- every subgroup of a discrete group is discrete.
- every quotient of a discrete group is discrete.
- the product of a finite number of discrete groups is discrete.
- a discrete group is compact if and only if it is finite.
- every discrete group is locally compact.
- every discrete subgroup of a Hausdorff group is closed.
- every discrete subgroup of a compact Hausdorff group is finite.
Read more about this topic: Discrete Group
Famous quotes containing the word properties:
“A drop of water has the properties of the sea, but cannot exhibit a storm. There is beauty of a concert, as well as of a flute; strength of a host, as well as of a hero.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (18031882)
“The reason why men enter into society, is the preservation of their property; and the end why they choose and authorize a legislative, is, that there may be laws made, and rules set, as guards and fences to the properties of all the members of the society: to limit the power, and moderate the dominion, of every part and member of the society.”
—John Locke (16321704)