[proofplan]
We prove the two assertions by exhibiting inverse maps. Left multiplication by $g$ sends $H$ onto the left coset $gH$, and left multiplication by $g^{-1}$ recovers the original element of $H$. The right coset case is identical in structure, using right multiplication by $g$ and $g^{-1}$. Once the maps are bijections, equality of finite cardinalities follows from the definition of finite cardinality through a bijection.
[/proofplan]
custom_env
admin
[step:Declare the left and right multiplication maps onto the cosets]
Define the map
\begin{align*}
L_g: H &\to gH \\
h &\mapsto gh.
\end{align*}
This map is well-defined because, for every $h \in H$, the element $gh$ belongs to $gH$ by the definition of the left coset.
Define the map
\begin{align*}
R_g: H &\to Hg \\
h &\mapsto hg.
\end{align*}
This map is well-defined because, for every $h \in H$, the element $hg$ belongs to $Hg$ by the definition of the right coset.
[/step]
custom_env
admin
[step:Prove that left multiplication by $g$ is a bijection from $H$ to $gH$]We prove that $L_g$ is injective. Let $h_1, h_2 \in H$ and assume $L_g(h_1) = L_g(h_2)$. Then
\begin{align*}
gh_1 = gh_2.
\end{align*}
Multiplying on the left by $g^{-1} \in G$ and using associativity and the identity element of $G$, we obtain
\begin{align*}
h_1 = h_2.
\end{align*}
Thus $L_g$ is injective.
We prove that $L_g$ is surjective. Let $x \in gH$. By the definition of $gH$, there exists $h \in H$ such that $x = gh$. Hence $x = L_g(h)$, so every element of $gH$ lies in the image of $L_g$. Therefore $L_g$ is surjective. Since $L_g$ is both injective and surjective, it is a [bijection](/page/Bijection).[/step]
custom_env
admin
[guided]We need to show that the map
\begin{align*}
L_g: H &\to gH \\
h &\mapsto gh
\end{align*}
is a bijection. A map is a [bijection](/page/Bijection) exactly when it is both injective and surjective.
First, we prove injectivity. Let $h_1, h_2 \in H$ and suppose their images under $L_g$ are equal:
\begin{align*}
L_g(h_1) = L_g(h_2).
\end{align*}
By the definition of $L_g$, this says
\begin{align*}
gh_1 = gh_2.
\end{align*}
Since $G$ is a group and $g \in G$, the inverse $g^{-1} \in G$ exists. Multiplying both sides on the left by $g^{-1}$ gives
\begin{align*}
g^{-1}(gh_1) = g^{-1}(gh_2).
\end{align*}
Using associativity of the group operation and the identity relation $g^{-1}g = e$, where $e \in G$ is the identity element, we get
\begin{align*}
(g^{-1}g)h_1 &= (g^{-1}g)h_2,\\
eh_1 &= eh_2,\\
h_1 &= h_2.
\end{align*}
Thus different elements of $H$ cannot have the same image, so $L_g$ is injective.
Next, we prove surjectivity. Let $x \in gH$. By the definition of the left coset,
\begin{align*}
gH = \{gh : h \in H\}.
\end{align*}
Therefore there exists an element $h \in H$ such that
\begin{align*}
x = gh.
\end{align*}
But $gh = L_g(h)$ by the definition of $L_g$, so $x$ is in the image of $L_g$. Since $x \in gH$ was arbitrary, $L_g$ is surjective.
The map $L_g$ is both injective and surjective, hence $L_g: H \to gH$ is a bijection.[/guided]
custom_env
admin
[step:Prove that right multiplication by $g$ is a bijection from $H$ to $Hg$]We prove that $R_g$ is injective. Let $h_1, h_2 \in H$ and assume $R_g(h_1) = R_g(h_2)$. Then
\begin{align*}
h_1g = h_2g.
\end{align*}
Multiplying on the right by $g^{-1} \in G$ and using associativity and the identity element of $G$, we obtain
\begin{align*}
h_1 = h_2.
\end{align*}
Thus $R_g$ is injective.
We prove that $R_g$ is surjective. Let $x \in Hg$. By the definition of $Hg$, there exists $h \in H$ such that $x = hg$. Hence $x = R_g(h)$, so every element of $Hg$ lies in the image of $R_g$. Therefore $R_g$ is surjective. Since $R_g$ is both injective and surjective, it is a [bijection](/page/Bijection).[/step]
custom_env
admin
[guided]We now prove the corresponding statement for the right coset. The map is
\begin{align*}
R_g: H &\to Hg \\
h &\mapsto hg.
\end{align*}
Again, it is enough to prove injectivity and surjectivity.
For injectivity, let $h_1, h_2 \in H$ and suppose
\begin{align*}
R_g(h_1) = R_g(h_2).
\end{align*}
By the definition of $R_g$, this is
\begin{align*}
h_1g = h_2g.
\end{align*}
Since $g \in G$ and $G$ is a group, the inverse $g^{-1} \in G$ exists. Multiplying both sides on the right by $g^{-1}$ gives
\begin{align*}
(h_1g)g^{-1} = (h_2g)g^{-1}.
\end{align*}
Using associativity and the identity relation $gg^{-1} = e$, where $e \in G$ is the identity element, we obtain
\begin{align*}
h_1(gg^{-1}) &= h_2(gg^{-1}),\\
h_1e &= h_2e,\\
h_1 &= h_2.
\end{align*}
Therefore $R_g$ is injective.
For surjectivity, let $x \in Hg$. By the definition of the right coset,
\begin{align*}
Hg = \{hg : h \in H\}.
\end{align*}
Hence there exists $h \in H$ such that
\begin{align*}
x = hg.
\end{align*}
Since $R_g(h) = hg$, we have $x = R_g(h)$. Thus every element of $Hg$ is attained by $R_g$, so $R_g$ is surjective.
The map $R_g$ is both injective and surjective, hence $R_g: H \to Hg$ is a bijection.[/guided]
custom_env
admin
[step:Translate the bijections into equality of finite cardinalities]
If $H$ and $gH$ are finite sets, then the bijection $L_g: H \to gH$ implies
\begin{align*}
|H| = |gH|.
\end{align*}
If $H$ and $Hg$ are finite sets, then the bijection $R_g: H \to Hg$ implies
\begin{align*}
|H| = |Hg|.
\end{align*}
This proves the stated cardinality equalities and completes the proof.
[/step]