All Questions
Tagged with finite-groups permutation-groups
13 questions
32
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Order of products of elements in symmetric groups
Let $n \in \mathbb{N}$. Is it true that for any $a, b, c \in \mathbb{N}$ satisfying
$1 < a, b, c \leq n-2$ the symmetric group ${\rm S}_n$ has elements of order $a$ and $b$
whose product has order $...
4
votes
1
answer
251
views
Diameter of the "Masterball-puzzle" permutation groups by a kind of Cartier-Foata enumeration?
There is an wonderful blog post by Jordan S. Ellenberg SHOULD YOU BE SURPRISED BY THE DIAMETER OF THE NXNXN RUBIK’S GROUP?. Which explains how one can come to $N^2log(N)$ estimate of the diameter of ...
17
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Does O'Nan-Scott depend on CFSG?
My question is in the title. Some context: there are two versions of the O'Nan-Scott theorem. The first, weaker version, is due to O'Nan and Scott (independently) and gives the structure of the ...
11
votes
1
answer
248
views
How many steps are required for double transitivity?
Let $A$ be a set of generators of $S_n$, or of a doubly transitive
subgroup of $S_n$. Assume $e\in A$, $A=A^{-1}$. What is the least $k$
such that $A^k$ is doubly transitive as a set? That is, what is ...
10
votes
0
answers
194
views
Permutation groups with diameter $O(n \log n)$
I suspect that many permutation puzzles can be solved in $O(n \log n)$ moves, which has led me to the following question/conjecture:
Suppose that
1. $P_i$ for $i<k=O(1)$ are permutations on an $n$ ...
8
votes
2
answers
617
views
sum-sets in a finite field
Let $\mathbb{F}_p$ be a finite field, $A=\{a_1,\dots,a_k\}\subset\mathbb{F}_p^*$ a $k$-element set, for $k<p$. $\mathfrak{S}_k=$permutation gp.
Question. Is it true there is always a $\pi\in\...
8
votes
2
answers
586
views
How hard is it to compute the diameter and the growth function of a finite permutation group of small degree?
Let $G \leq {\rm S}_n$ be a finite permutation group, and let
$S = \{g_1, \dots, g_k\}$ be a generating set for $G$ which is closed
under inversion and which does not contain the identity.
The growth ...
7
votes
2
answers
422
views
Automorphism group of a special commuting graph
Suppose $S_6$ is the symmetric group on six letters and let $X$ denote the conjugacy class containing $(12)(34)$. Define a graph $\Gamma$ with vertex set $X$ and edges precisely the 2-element subsets ...
6
votes
1
answer
435
views
Doubly primitive groups with simple socle
The classification of doubly transitive groups with simple socle is
known. A good account of such classification can be found for example
in this paper:
Cameron, Peter J. Finite permutation groups ...
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Are there infinitely many insipid numbers?
A number $n$ is called insipid if the groups having a core-free maximal subgroup of index $n$ are exactly $A_n$ and $S_n$. There is an OEIS enter for these numbers: A102842. There are exactly $486$ ...
3
votes
0
answers
302
views
What's the ratio of inclusions of finite groups with a distributive lattice?
Definition: Two inclusions of finite groups are equivalent, $(A \subset B) \sim (C \subset D)$, if: $(A/A_B \subset B/A_B) \simeq (C/C_D \subset D/C_D)$ with $A_B$ the normal core of $A$ in $B$.
...
1
vote
2
answers
207
views
Complexity of decision problem to decide if permutation group is $k$-transitive
Given a finite permutation group $G$ (a subgroup of the symmetric group on a finite set) in terms of its generators, what is known about the decision problem of deciding if $G$ is $k$-transitive for a ...
0
votes
0
answers
142
views
Subgroups of powers of the alternating group on 5 elements
Definition: Let $G$ be a group, and let $H \leq G$ be a subgroup. We say that $H$ is big in $G$ if for every intermediate subgroup $H \leq L \leq G$ there exists some $x \in L$ such that $\langle H \...