Fitting's Theorem and Semirings of Normal Subgroups

Abstract

We define a non-unital, generally non-associative, commutative semiring structure on the collection of normal subgroups of a group $G$. This viewpoint allows us to recast in ring-theoretic terms Fitting's classical theorem that the join of two nilpotent normal subgroups is nilpotent. From this perspective, the two key inputs are a binomial expansion in a non-associative setting and the fact that the commutator subgroup of two normal subgroups lies in each factor. The development is formalized in Lean, making essential use of Mathlib for the core definitions and results.