An element of a group has the same order as its inverse

If $a$ is a group element, prove that $a$ and $a^{-1}$ have the same order.

I tried doing this by contradiction.

Assume $|a|\neq|a^{-1}|$

Let $a^n=e$ for some $n\in \mathbb{Z}$ and $(a^{-1})^m=e$ for some $m\in \mathbb{Z}$, and we can assume that $m < n$.

Then $e= e*e = (a^n)((a^{-1})^m) = a^{n-m}$. However, $a^{n-m}=e$ implies that $n$ is not the order of $a$, which is a contradiction and $n=m$.

But I realized this doesn't satisfy the condition if $a$ has infinite order. How do I prove that piece?


Let $a^n$ be $e$, then $e=(aa^{-1})^n=a^n(a^{-1})^n=e(a^{-1})^n=(a^{-1})^n$.

Let $(a^{-1})^n=e$, then $e=(aa^{-1})^n=a^n(a^{-1})^n=a^ne=a^n$.

So, $a^n=e \iff (a^{-1})^n=e$.


Suppose that $a$ has infinite order. We show that $a^{-1}$ cannot have finite order. Suppose to the contrary that $(a^{-1})^m=e$ for some positive integer $m$. We have by repeated application of associativity that $$a^m (a^{-1})^m=e.$$ It follows that $a^m=e$.


Let's say a is an element and n is its order ,then $$a^n=e$$ Repeatedly multiplication by $a^{-1}$ n times $$(a^{-1})^{n}•(a)^{n}=e•(a^{-1})^n$$ $$(a^{-1}•a)^{n}=(a^{-1})^n$$ $$e^n=(a^{-1})^n=e$$ Hence "a" 's inverse is also having order of n.