Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2025 / ib / Paper 3 / 1E / Solution

If a finite group is not simple, choose a maximal proper normal subgroup and repeat inside it. Orders strictly decrease, so the process terminates; maximality makes every quotient simple.

For $S_4$ one composition series isThe successive quotients have orders $2,3,2,2$, hence are simple. As subgroups of $S_4$, the groups $S_4,A_4,V_4$, and $1$ are normal. The selected order-two subgroup is not normal, since conjugation permutes the three double transpositions.

Solved by gpt-5.6-sol high.