TITLE: If $N\lhd G$ then $n_p(G/N) \leq n_p(G)$.
QUESTION [8 upvotes]: I want to prove the above statement where $N$ is a normal subgroup of $G$, and $n_p(G) = \vert Syl_p(G)\vert$, i.e. the number of Sylow $p$-subgroups of $G$.
I am quite stuck on this problem. My initial thought was to define a map from the Sylow $p$-subgroups of $G$ to those of $G/N$ and then show that the map is surjective, but this turns into a gargantuan mess with a ton of Lagrange cardinality and divisibility arguments and such, and does not quite get me what I want to show anyway even with a substantial amount of hand-waving.
Any suggestions? I also naturally thought about trying to prove it indirectly by way of contradiction, though I really am not certain how to even begin to go about it that way.

REPLY [5 votes]: Even something stronger is true.
Proposition Let $G$ be a finite group, $N \unlhd G$, then $n_p(G/N) \mid n_p(G)$.
One proof (it can also be shown in a different way, see here) hinges on the following lemma of which the easy proof can be found for example in the book of I.M. Isaacs, Finite Group Theory, remarks made on page $23$. Note that if $H \leq G$ and $N \unlhd G$, then $N \subseteq HN \subseteq N_G(HN)$. Also, since $N$ is normal, $N_G(H) \subseteq N_G(HN)$.

Lemma Let $G$ be a group, $H \leq G$, $N \unlhd G$, then $$N_{G/N}(HN/N)=N_G(HN)/N.$$
Now, every Sylow $p$-subgroup of $G/N$ is of the form $PN/N$, for some $P \in Syl_p(G)$. Hence, $n_p(G/N)=|G/N:N_{G/N}(PN/N)|= \text{(by the lemma) }= |G/N:N_G(PN)/N|=|G:N_G(PN)|$. But, $N_G(P) \subseteq N_G(PN)$, hence $n_p(G/N)=|G:N_G(PN)| \mid |G:N_G(PN)| \cdot |N_G(PN): N_G(P)|= |G:N_G(P)|=n_p(G)$ and we are done.