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I am reading this paper where the object $C_4\times C_2 : C_2$ is used as a group structure. I know that $C_n$ is a cyclic group but don't know what kind of operation between groups is identified by the symbol "$:$". Does anyone know about that? Thanks to everyone for the help.

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The colon means "semidirect product", but it does not specify which semidirect product. This notation is a concise shorthand that gives important structural information without necessarily uniquely specifying the group. You can read more about similar notation conventions in the introduction to the ATLAS of finite groups.

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  • $\begingroup$ Thanks for your answer. $\endgroup$
    – N math
    Commented Feb 25, 2020 at 9:04

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