Number of elements of order π in a finite group
In a finite group
Proof
For each element
of order there exists a cyclic subgroup of order , which contains exactly generators, each of order . If there exists an element of order such that , then it too has a corresponding cyclic subgroup of order , which also contains exactly generators each of order , none of which may be contained in . Continuing in this fashion, it is clear that the number of elements in of order is where is some nonnegative integer.