(a) Prove that if there exists a faithful irreducible complex representation of a finite group G, then the centre Z(G) is cyclic.
(b) Define the permutations a,b,c∈S6 by
a=(123),b=(456),c=(23)(45),
and let E=⟨a,b,c⟩.
(i) Using the relations a3=b3=c2=1,ab=ba,c−1ac=a−1 and c−1bc=b−1, prove that E has order 18 .
(ii) Suppose that ε and η are complex cube roots of unity. Prove that there is a (matrix) representation ρ of E over C such that
a↦(ε00ε−1),b↦(η00η−1),c↦(0110)
(iii) For which values of ε,η is ρ faithful? For which values of ε,η is ρ irreducible?
(c) Note that ⟨a,b⟩ is a normal subgroup of E which is isomorphic to C3×C3. By inducing linear characters of this subgroup, or otherwise, obtain the character table of E.
Deduce that E has the property that Z(E) is cyclic but E has no faithful irreducible representation over C.