Questions tagged [finite-groups]
Questions on group theory which concern finite groups.
2,259
questions
6
votes
2
answers
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Finite groups with only one $p$-block
If $G$ is a finite group with a prime $p \big| |G|$, and $G$ has exactly one $p$-block, namely the principal block, can anything be said about the structure of $G$? I am aware that when $G$ has ...
8
votes
0
answers
376
views
Is this set, defined in terms of an irreducible representation, closed under inverses?
$\DeclareMathOperator\GL{GL}$Let $ H $ be an irreducible finite subgroup of $ \GL(n,\mathbb{C}) $. Define $ N^r(H) $ inductively by
$$
N^{r+1}(H)=\{ g \in \GL(n,\mathbb{C}): g H g^{-1} \subset N^r(H) \...
5
votes
0
answers
205
views
Extending representations of $\mathrm{GL}(n,\mathbb{F}_p) \times \mathrm{GL}(m,\mathbb{F}_p)$ to $\mathrm{GL}(n+m,\mathbb{F}_p)$
$\DeclareMathOperator\GL{GL}$In this question, representations means finite-dimensional complex representations.
Fix some $n,m \geq 2$ and some prime $p$. I'm interested in representations $V$ of $\...
2
votes
0
answers
122
views
Does every faithful action on a scheme act freely on a dense open subset?
Disclaimer: I have asked this question on math exchange a week ago (here), but sadly to no avail. So I decided to escalate my question:
Let $G$ be a finite group acting faithfully on a smooth quasi-...
1
vote
1
answer
106
views
Maximal abelian subgroups of an extraspecial group of order $2^{2m+1}$
I've found a proof of the structure of maximal abelian normal subgroups of an extraspecial group of order $2^{2m+1}$ in the book "Endlichen Gruppen I" by B. Huppert but there is a part of ...
1
vote
1
answer
161
views
Suggestions about the set of all irreducible complex character degrees of a finite group
Let $G$ be a finite group, $\operatorname{cd}(G)$ be the set of all irreducible complex character degrees of $G$, and $\rho(G)$ be the set of all prime divisors of integers in $\operatorname{cd}(G)$. ...
1
vote
0
answers
118
views
$p'$-automorphisms of pro-$p$ groups
Let $p$ be a prime and $G$ be a finitely generated pro-$p$ group admitting a continuous automorphism $\phi$ of finite order relatively prime to $p$. Let $\Phi(G)$ denote the Frattini subgroup of $G$. ...
5
votes
2
answers
383
views
Cohomology of the adjoint representation of $\mathrm{SL}_2(k)$
Let $k$ be a finite field. Do we always have $H^1(\operatorname{PSL}_2(k), k^3) = 0$, where $\operatorname{PSL}_2(k)$ acts on $k^3$ via the adjoint representation (= conjugation action on trace zero ...
3
votes
0
answers
165
views
Abelian characters and odd perfect numbers?
This question is about applications of abelian characters to odd perfect numbers:
Context and Definitions:
Let $n$ be a natural number and $D_n$ be the set of divisors.
We can make this set to a ring ...
6
votes
2
answers
240
views
Group homology for a metacyclic group
Let $G$ be a finite group, and let $M$ be a finitely generated $G$-module,
that is, a finitely generated abelian group on which $G$ acts.
We work with the first homology group
$$ H_1(G,M).$$
For any ...
10
votes
1
answer
216
views
For which finite groups $G$ is $M_n(\mathbb{Q}(\zeta))$ a factor of $\mathbb{Q}[G]$?
I am cross-posting this question from my MSE post here, in case someone here can answer it.
For a finite group $G$, the rational group ring $\mathbb{Q}[G]$ has a Wedderburn decomposition:
$$
\mathbb{Q}...
5
votes
0
answers
219
views
What is the Fourier transform in modular representation theory?
For a finite group $G$ there is the Fourier transform $\displaystyle \hat{f}(\rho)=\sum_{g \in G} f(g)\rho(g)$ with inverse $$\displaystyle f(g)=\frac{1}{|G|}\sum_{\rho}d_{\rho}\operatorname{Tr}\left(\...
2
votes
1
answer
320
views
Proving certain triangle groups are infinite
[Cross-posted from MSE]
Consider the Von Dyck group
$$ G = \langle x,y\mid x^a=y^b=(xy)^c=1\rangle $$
where $a,b,c\ge3$. Because $G$ is infinite and residually finite, it has an infinite family of ...
9
votes
1
answer
431
views
Growth of powers of symmetric subsets in a finite group
(This question was originally asked on Math.SE, where it was answered in the abelian case)
Let $G$ be a finite group, and let $A$ be a symmetric subset of $G$ containing the identity (i.e., $A^{-1}=A$ ...
2
votes
3
answers
297
views
A subgroup of index 2 for a solvable finite group transitively acting on a finite set of cardinality $2m$ where $m$ is odd
Let $G$ be a finite group acting transitively on the finite set $X=\{1,2,\dots, 2m\}$
of cardinality $2m\ge 6$ where $m$ is odd.
Question 1. Is it true that $G$ always has a subgroup $H$ of index 2
...
0
votes
0
answers
86
views
The relation between two characteristic subgroups in finite p-group
Suppose $G$ is a finite $p$-group. Let
\begin{align*}
\mho_{1}(G)=\langle a^p\mid a\in G\rangle,\quad\Omega_{1}(G)=\langle a\in G\mid a^p=1\rangle.
\end{align*}
There are examples such that $|G|\leq |\...
2
votes
1
answer
365
views
Does any finite group of order $2m$ with odd $m$ have a subgroup of index 2? [closed]
Let $G$ be a finite group of order $2m$ where $m>1$ is an odd natural number.
Question. Is it true that any such $G$ has a subgroup $H$ of index 2?
If yes, I would be grateful for a reference or ...
1
vote
0
answers
100
views
Closed collections of finite groups
Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a collection of (isomorphism classes of) finite groups with the following properties:
If $G\in\mathcal{C}$ and $H$ is a homomorphic image of $G$, then $H\in\mathcal{C}$
If $G\in\...
0
votes
1
answer
175
views
Finite subgroups of $\mathrm{O}_n(\mathbb R)$ from finite subgroups of $\mathrm{SO}_n(\mathbb R)$
Let $G$ be a finite subgroup of $\mathrm{SO}_n(\mathbb R)$. We also assume $G$ to be "maximal" in the sense that for every $g\in\mathrm{SO}_n(\mathbb R)\setminus G$, we have that $\overline{\...
1
vote
0
answers
153
views
Centraliser of a finite group
Let $G=\operatorname{Sp}(8,K)$ be a symplectic algebraic group over an algebraically closed field of characteristic not $2$.
We have a vector space decomposition $V_8=V_2\otimes V_4$ where the $2$-...
20
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is applying Feit–Thompson’s theorem for the nonexistence of a simple group of order $1004913$ really a circular argument?
In p.212 of Dummit–Foote’s Abstract Algebra, 3rd Edition, an analysis of a hypothetical simple group $G$ of order $1004913 = 3^3 \cdot 7 \cdot 13 \cdot 409$ is carried out. The authors write:
We ...
9
votes
2
answers
602
views
When are two semidirect products of two cyclic groups isomorphic
(I have posted this question in Math Stack Exchange, only to have received no answer.)
It is well known that a semidirect product of two cyclic groups $C_m$ and $C_n$ has the form
$$
C_m \rtimes_k C_n ...
9
votes
1
answer
275
views
A question related to Jordan's theorem on subgroups of $\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{C})$
$\newcommand{\C}{\mathbb{C}}$
$\newcommand{\mr}{\mathrm}$
For any positive integer $n$, let $f(n)$ be the minimal integer with the following
property:
For any finite subgroup $G < \mr{GL}_n(\C)$ ...
2
votes
0
answers
406
views
Generalized conjugacy classes in (topological) groups
Let $G$ be a topological group. We define an equivalence relation on $G$ as follows:
For $a,b\in G$ we set $a\sim b$ if the following two maps are topologically conjugate:
$$x\mapsto ax,\qquad x\...
1
vote
0
answers
112
views
What is $H^*(\mathbb{CP}^{2^N-1}/\Sigma_n;\mathbb{Z})$ when $N=\binom{n}{2}$?
$H^*((S^3)^N/\Sigma_n;\mathbb{Q})$ is computed here.
It makes a little more sense to compute $H^*((S^2)^N/\Sigma_n;\mathbb{Q})$ given that global phase is irrelevant. The proof is exactly the same.
...
1
vote
0
answers
114
views
Reduction mod 2 for orthogonal groups
Setting Let $k$ be a real quadratic field, $\mathbb Z_k$ its ring of integers. Let $n$ be an even integer $A$ a symmetric $n$-by-$n$ matrix with coefficients in $\mathbb Z_k$. Let $L$ be the lattice $\...
2
votes
0
answers
121
views
Subgroups of a finite group whose conjugates intersect to conjugates of a specified subgroup
I have encountered a mysterious condition on finite groups in my research, and would like help understanding it better.
Let $G$ be a finite group, and let $H\leq K\leq G$ be a chain of subgroup ...
5
votes
0
answers
193
views
Subgroups of the symmetric group and binary relations
Motivation
The following came up in my work recently. (NB this is the motivation, not the question I'm asking. You can skip to the actual question below, which is self-contained, but not self-...
3
votes
1
answer
190
views
Finite subgroup of $\operatorname{Sp}(2n,K)$
Let $G$ be the algebraic group $\operatorname{Sp}(2n, K)$ where $K$ is an algebraically closed field of characteristic not $2$. There is a quaternion subgroup $Q$ such that $Q/Z(G)$ is elementary ...
3
votes
0
answers
78
views
Diameters of permutation groups with transitive generators
Suppose that for a permutation puzzle on $n$ elements we have a subroutine to place any $m>3$ elements in arbitrary positions (possibly scrambling the rest). Can we solve the puzzle (if it is ...
4
votes
0
answers
193
views
A different approach to proving a property of finite solvable groups
Edit: I'd be happy to hear any vague thoughts you might have, however far they may be from a complete solution!
I asked this on math.stackexchange a couple of days ago, but it didn't attract any ...
7
votes
1
answer
240
views
On a generalization of Schur-Zassenhaus
Disclaimer: I'm not a group theorist, I arrived at the following question from algebraic geometry.
The first half of the Schur-Zassenhaus theorem states that, if $N$ is a normal subgroup of a finite ...
0
votes
0
answers
109
views
$G\cdot H$ with $G,H$ non-Abelian finite simple
Can a non-split extension of one non-Abelian finite simple group by another exist?
1
vote
0
answers
84
views
Central-by-cyclic
This is a following-up question of this.
Lemma 2.4 from Robert Griess' paper "Elementary abelian $p$-subgroups of algebraic groups" states:
(i) Let $T$ be a finite $p$-group whose Frattini ...
1
vote
1
answer
143
views
$|C(E):C(E)\cap C(Z(U))|=1$ or $p$
Lemma 2.4 from Robert Griess' paper "Elementary abelian $p$-subgroups of algebraic groups" states:
(i) Let $T$ be a finite $p$-group whose Frattini subgroup is cyclic and central. Then $T'$ ...
1
vote
0
answers
48
views
A question on width vs covering of the subgroup generated by a conjugacy class in a finite group
Let $G$ be a finite group and $C$ be a conjugacy class of $G$. It is clear that there exists $k\in \mathbb{N}$, such that $1\cup C\cup C^2 \cup \cdots \cup C^k=\langle C \rangle$. Note that $\langle C ...
5
votes
1
answer
272
views
Extension of base field for modules of groups and cohomology [duplicate]
Let $G$ be a group and let $K/k$ be a field extension. Suppose that $V$ is a $kG$-module, and let $V_K = K \otimes_k V$ be the $KG$-module given by changing the base field.
Is it true that $H^n(G,V_K) ...
38
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Why does the monster group exist?
Recently, I was watching an interview that John Conway did with Numberphile. By the end of the video, Brady Haran asked John:
If you were to come back a hundred years after your death, what problem ...
1
vote
0
answers
104
views
Finite groups of prime power order containing an abelian maximal subgroup
Let $G$ be a finite $p$-group containing an abelian maximal subgroup. Then it is a well-known result that $|G:Z(G)|=p|G'|$. If in addition $G$ is of nilpotent class 2, then $|G:Z(G)|\leq p^{r+1}$, ...
4
votes
1
answer
254
views
Mackey coset decomposition formula
I have a question about following argument I found
in these notes on Mackey functors:
(2.1) LEMMA. (page 6) Let $G$ be a finite group and $J$ any subgroup. Whenever $H$ and $K$ are subgroups of $J$, ...
0
votes
0
answers
117
views
normalizer info for subgroups
In [1], Griess classified the maximal nontoral elementary abelian subgroups of algebraic groups. For the exceptional types, normalizer info was also given. Is there any work out there providing ...
2
votes
0
answers
62
views
Are the integer points of a simple linear algebraic group 2-generated?
Set Up:
Let $ K $ be a totally real number field. Let $ \mathcal{O}_K $ be the ring of integers of $ K $. Let $ G $ be a simple linear algebraic group. Suppose that $ G(\mathbb{R}) $ is a compact Lie ...
4
votes
0
answers
147
views
New characters from old
(All groups in the following discussion are assumed to be finite.)
Character induction is an operation that produces a character of a group given a character of a subgroup. I'm aware that there are ...
8
votes
1
answer
440
views
Trivial group cohomology induces trivial cohomology of subgroups
From the answer to another question I asked (Projective representations of a finite abelian group) and from the structure theorem of finite abelian groups it follows that if $A$ is a finite abelian ...
4
votes
1
answer
222
views
Projective representations of a finite abelian group
Projective representations of a group $G$ are classified by the second group cohomology $H^2(G,U(1))$. If $G$ is finite and abelian, it is isomorphic to the direct product of cyclic groups
$$
G\cong ...
4
votes
1
answer
206
views
Quadratic refinements of a bilinear form on finite abelian groups
$\DeclareMathOperator\Hom{Hom}$Let $A$ be a finite abelian group and $\text{Sym}(A)$ the (abelian) group of symmetric bilinear forms over $A$ valued in $\mathbb{R}/\mathbb{Z}$.
A quadratic function on ...
9
votes
0
answers
177
views
Cyclic numbers of the form $2^n + 1$
A cyclic number (or cyclic order) is a number $m$ such that the only group of order $m$ is the cyclic group $\mathbb{Z}/m\mathbb{Z}$. The set of cyclic numbers admits a couple of cute number-theoretic ...
24
votes
0
answers
770
views
Revising the proof of CFSG
This is an oft-quoted excerpt from John Thompson's article "Finite Non-Solvable Groups":
“... the classification of finite simple groups is an exercise in taxonomy. This is
obvious to the ...
4
votes
1
answer
225
views
Condition on $q$ for inclusion $p^{1+2r}\cdot\operatorname{Sp}(2r,p)\leqslant \operatorname{GU}(p^r,q)$
Let $p$ be an odd prime. What's the condition on $q$ for
$$
p^{1+2r}\cdot\operatorname{Sp}(2r,p)\leqslant \operatorname{GU}(p^r,q)\;?
$$ I did some computation and seemed that $q\equiv -1$(mod $p$) ...
4
votes
1
answer
119
views
CFSG-free proof for classifying simple $K_3$-group
Let $G$ be a finite nonabelian simple group.
We call $G$ a $K_3$-group if $|G|=p^aq^br^c$ where $p,q,r$ are distinct primes and $a,b,c$ are positive integers.
My question is: Is there a CFSG-free ...