All Questions
Tagged with finite-groups reference-request
202 questions
47
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Which small finite simple groups are not yet known to be Galois groups over Q?
The subject line pretty much says it all. To expand just a little bit:
1) What is the smallest simple group that is not yet known to occur as a Galois group over $\mathbb{Q}$? (Variants: not known ...
- 65.4k
44
votes
10
answers
11k
views
The finite subgroups of SL(2,C)
Books can be written about the finite subgroups of $\mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb C)$ (and their immediate family, like the polyhedral groups...) I am about to start writing notes for a short course about ...
- 47.3k
41
votes
6
answers
4k
views
Measures of non-abelian-ness
Let $G$ be a finite non-abelian group of $n$ elements.
I would like a measure that intuitively captures the
extent to which $G$ is non-commutative.
One easy measure is a count of the non-commutative ...
- 151k
37
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What is the smallest group not known to be a Galois group over $\mathbb{Q}$?
$\DeclareMathOperator\SL{SL}\DeclareMathOperator\PSL{PSL}$What is the smallest group not known to be a Galois group over $\mathbb{Q}$?
Variants have been asked here before (e.g. Which small finite ...
- 2,959
35
votes
6
answers
5k
views
Character-free proof that Frobenius kernel is a normal subgroup?
The question is in the title, but here is some background/reminders:
A subgroup $H\neq\{1\}$ of a finite group $G$ is called a Frobenius complement if $H\cap H^g = \{1\}$ for all $g\in G\backslash H$....
- 13k
33
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Classification of finite groups of isometries
Consider the problem of classifying the finite groups of isometries of $\mathbb{R}^n$.
For $n=2$ it is cyclic and dihedral groups.
For $n=3$ they are well known, probably from Kepler and are related ...
32
votes
0
answers
993
views
Is there a Mathieu groupoid M_31?
I have read something which said that the large amount of common structure between the simple groups $SL(3,3)$ and $M_{11}$ indicated to Conway the possibility that the Mathieu groupoid $M_{13}$ might ...
- 3,645
30
votes
1
answer
592
views
Guess that group via product queries
Suppose someone (person B) knows a finite group $G$ of order $n$.
You (person A) know only the order $n$,
and that $1$ is the name of the identity element.
The group elements are named $1,2,\ldots,n$ ...
- 151k
29
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Quillen + construction for finite groups
Is there an example of two non isomorphic finite groups $G$ and $H$ such that $BG^{+}$ is homotopy equivalent to $BH^{+}$ ?
- 1,629
27
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Properties to have matrices that commute in $\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb C)$
Let $G$ be a finite subgroup of $\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb C)$, $A,B \in G$ whose eigenvalues are thus in the unit circle.
Assume that the eigenvalues of $A$ are included in a circle arc of length $<\...
user49093
23
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Geodesics in finite groups
It seems that I can generalize a result from compact, connected Lie groups to finite groups, but in order to do so, I need to have some kind of geodesics on finite groups.
Below is a proposition for ...
- 8,086
22
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Roadmap to learning the classification of finite simple groups
I want to learn the classification of finite simple groups. But it is often commented that it is a theorem spanning tens of thousands of pages of research papers. So it is quite intimidating to an ...
- 820
21
votes
2
answers
2k
views
A new combinatorial property for the character table of a finite group?
Let $G$ be a finite group and $\Lambda = (\lambda_{i,j})$ its character table with $\lambda_{i,1}$ the degree of the ith character.
Consider the following combinatorial property of $\Lambda$: for ...
19
votes
2
answers
943
views
Reference for the triple covering of A_6
I would like to ask for a reference (book, paper ...) for the following nice construction, which I have found as an exercise in some notes of a course by R. Borcherds. For $n=6$ or $7$ (and only in ...
- 38k
19
votes
0
answers
604
views
How is this group theoretic construct called?
Let $G$ be a finite group, $S\subset G$ a generating set, $|g| = |g|_S = $ word length with respect to $S$. Define the "defect" of $g,h$ to be
$$\psi(g,h) = |g|+|h|-|gh|$$
Then $\psi:G\times G \...
user6671
17
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Reference for this theorem in representation theory?
Let $G$ be a finite group and $\chi$ be an irreducible character of
$G$ (characteristic zero algebraically closed base field). If $H$ is
the kernel of $\chi$ then the irreducible representations of $G/...
- 887
17
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Explicit character tables of non-existent finite simple groups
In connection with the historical development of the classification of finite simple groups, I am interested in a particular aspect that seems to be less well-documented than the main narrative of ...
17
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How to find more (finite almost simple) groups with a given Sylow subgroup
I'm looking for some examples of actions on Sylow p-groups, and often those actions appear in the case of finite almost simple groups. Given a finite almost simple group, I understand in principle ...
- 10.7k
17
votes
1
answer
575
views
Group cochains invariant under the action of the symmetric group
Let $G$ be a finite group and $A$ an abelian group. Recall the cochain groups
$$
C^k = \{f: G^k \to A\}
$$
and the coboundary map
$$
\delta : C^k \to C^{k+1}
$$
$$
(\delta f)(g_1, \ldots, ...
- 12.8k
16
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Reference for representation theory of SL_2(Z/n)
There are many references for the representation theory (say over $\mathbf C$) of $\operatorname{SL}_2(\mathbf{F}_q)$ and $\operatorname{GL}_2(\mathbf{F}_q)$, for instance lecture 5 in Fulton--Harris &...
- 40.2k
16
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Origin of group theory problem (bound on number of Sylow subgroups)
This problem (prove that the number of Sylow subgroups of a finite group $G$ is bounded by $\frac{2}{3}|G|$) posted on MSE proved rather difficult to solve. The OP has been silent about where the ...
- 2,168
16
votes
2
answers
992
views
Maximal number of maximal subgroups
Let $G$ be a finite group. I want to find an upper bound on the number of the maximal subgroups. My questions is does it possible to prove that the number of maximal subgroups of any finite group $G$ ...
- 2,179
15
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Realizable Order Sequences for Finite Groups
My post is motivated at least in part by this MO question.
Has there been any work done on realizable order sequences for finite groups? By an "order sequence" I mean a non-decreasing list of the ...
- 7,831
15
votes
0
answers
885
views
How much has been written down about Deligne's geometric approach to the order formula for a finite group of Lie type?
This is a follow-up to a recent mathoverflow question
34387
about computing the orders of finite unitary groups and the comments made there.
Between 1955 (Chevalley's Tohoku paper) and 1968 (...
- 52.9k
13
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Characterization of Frobenius complements
I have learned that Frobenius complements are characterized (among finite groups) by having a fixed point free complex representation.
That is, a finite group $G$ is a Frobenius complement if and only ...
- 8,086
13
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Convenient reference for subgroups of a finite semidirect product?
Given a finite group $G= H \ltimes N$ (with no particular constraints on $H, N$), it's probably been known for a long time how to describe efficiently the possible subgroups of $G$. A graduate ...
- 52.9k
12
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Efficient presentations for finite groups
A finitely presented group which has more generators than relations has an infinite abelianization and so is an infinite group. Therefore, for a finite group, all presentations must have at least as ...
- 3,645
12
votes
2
answers
926
views
Finite groups with integral character table
The character table of a finite group will be called integral if all its entries are integers. There are $11$ such groups up to order $16$, namely $C_1$, $C_2$, $C_2^2$, $S_3$, $D_8$, $Q_8$, $C_2^3$, $...
11
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Textbook source for finite group properties deducible from character table?
Various questions have been posted on MO (some answered, some not) involving the character table of a finite group $G$ over a splitting field such as $\mathbb{C}$ of characteristic 0. My basic ...
- 52.9k
11
votes
3
answers
826
views
Finite groups with few conjugacy classes of maximal subgroups
Let $c$ be a positive integer, $G$ a finite group with at most $c$ conjugacy classes of maximal subgroup. What can we say about $G$?
Same question, but this time $G$ is a finite group with at most $c$...
- 11.2k
11
votes
1
answer
688
views
Unitary representations of finite groups over finite fields
I would like to learn the basic theory of unitary representations of finite groups over finite fields.
Here, the unitary group $\operatorname{GU}(n,\mathbb{F}_{q^2})$ consists of all invertible ...
- 111
11
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Orders of automorphism groups of p-groups
There is a theorem that says that if $p$ is a prime and $G$ is a $p$-group with $|G| = p^{n}$, $|Aut(G)|$ divides $\Pi_{k=0}^{n-1} (p^{n}-p^{k})$.
This theorem is sharp, since $\Pi_{k=0}^{n-1} (p^{n}-...
- 3,645
11
votes
1
answer
683
views
Fixed-point-free group action on a finite, contractible, 3-dimensional simplicial complex
Let $K$ be a finite simplicial complex with an admissible action of a finite group $G$.
(Terminology: By an action of a group $G$ on $K$ I mean an action by simplicial automorphisms. The action is ...
- 2,104
10
votes
7
answers
2k
views
Representations of products of symmetric groups
I'm writing a paper and want to cite some references to efficiently prove that over any field $k$ of characteristic zero, every irreducible representation of a product of symmetric groups, say
$$ S_{...
- 22.3k
10
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Reference requested: Random walk on groups
I am looking for a good reference to learn about random walks on groups (either finite groups or Lie groups). Ideally, I would like a reference for general theory of random walks on groups that is ...
- 101
10
votes
2
answers
914
views
Finite subgroups of $\mathrm{SO}(n)$ and $\mathrm{O}(n)$
Question 1:Is there a reference that lists all possible finite subgroups and their orders of $\mathrm{SO}(n)$ and $\mathrm{O}(n)$ for $n=4$ or even higher $n$ over the real numbers?
I can only find ...
- 26.5k
10
votes
1
answer
381
views
About the paper by Buekenhout, Delandtsheer, Doyen, Kleidman, Liebeck and Saxl
The paper by Buekenhout, Delandtsheer, Doyen, Kleidman, Liebeck and Saxl called Linear spaces with flag transitive automorphism groups (Geom. Dedicata) from 1990 annonces a very powerful ...
- 2,287
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Maximal order of elements in SL(n,q)
The maximal order of an element of $\mathrm{GL}(n,\mathbb{F}_q)$ is $q^n-1$, where the characteristic of $\mathbb{F}_q$ is odd $p$. See here for a nice proof that uses the Cayley-Hamilton Theorem.
...
- 8,529
10
votes
2
answers
815
views
Paper by I. N. Sanov, Solution of the Burnside problem for exponent 4
I have searched extensively online and for copies of printed journals containing the paper which details Sanov's solution to the Burnside Problem for exponent 4, which is widely cited in many papers ...
- 201
10
votes
1
answer
257
views
Low dimensional representations of $SL_n(\mathbb{Z}/p^\ell \mathbb{Z})$
When $\ell = 1$ I know that the smallest non-trivial irreducible complex representations of $SL_n(\mathbb{Z}/p\mathbb{Z})$ has dimension $\frac{p^n - 1}{p-1} - 1$ (with maybe some exceptions for ...
- 2,242
9
votes
5
answers
2k
views
A catalog of faithful representations of finite groups?
I want a reference that catalogs the smallest-dimensional faithful representation of every noteworthy finite group. Specifically, I want representations on $\mathbb{R}^n$ and $\mathbb{C}^n$.
Where ...
- 7,633
9
votes
1
answer
508
views
When is the augmentation ideal projective as RG-module?
Let $G$ be a finite group and let $R$ be a commutative ring.
I'd like to ask, if there is a theorem of the following kind:
The augmentation ideal $I_G$ is projective as RG-module, if and only if ... ?...
- 1,755
9
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Finite groups in which all proper subgroups are cyclic
Is there any classification of finite group in which all proper subgroups are cyclic?
Would you please tell me a reference?
- 91
9
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Automorphism group of a finite group
I would like to ask if there exists an explicit description of $\mathrm{Aut}(G)$, the group of automorphisms of a finite group $G$, in particular, when $G$ is abelian. E.g., if $G = \mathbb{Z}/m\...
- 675
9
votes
2
answers
762
views
Solutions of $x^d=1$ in the symmetric group
L Moser and M Wyman, On solutions of $x^d = 1$ in symmetric groups, Canad. J. Math., 7 (1955), pages 159-168, explored asymptotic behavior of the cardinality of such permutations:
$$f_d(n):=\#\{\pi\in\...
- 43.2k
9
votes
2
answers
933
views
Good effective versions of theorems of Artin and Brauer
The theorem of Artin and Brauer of the title are the famous theorem in the theory of representation of finite groups.
For example, Artin's theorem is the statement that for every character $\chi$ of ...
- 26k
9
votes
2
answers
485
views
Reference for restriction of a simple module over a splitting field to a smaller field?
This is mainly a request for a straightforward reference (preferably at textbook level). The question comes up while responding to a question raised by non-specialists in finite group representations....
- 52.9k
9
votes
2
answers
701
views
Reference for embeddings of reflection groups (related to folding ADE Coxeter graphs)?
There are a couple of indirect methods, using Lie theory or Springer's general theory of regular elements in (real, complex) reflection groups, to construct natural embeddings among certain Weyl ...
- 52.9k
9
votes
0
answers
297
views
An abstract zero-sum problem
I would like to know whether the problem described below has appeared in the literature and/or whether similar questions have been studied. I would be very happy to find some references or, if none ...
- 1,169
8
votes
3
answers
741
views
Computations in modular cohomology of finite groups
Let $k$ be an algebraically closed field of characteristic $p$, let $G$ be a finite group whose order is divisible by $p$, and let $H(G)$ be the commutative cohomology algebra of $G$ with coefficients ...
- 768