Skip to main content

All Questions

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
3 votes
0 answers
89 views

Which elements in $\mathrm{Aut}(\widehat{F_2})$ preserve the procyclic subgroup generated by the commutator $c=[a,b]$?

Let $F_2$ denote the free group over two generators $a,b$, and we denote $c=[a,b]$ as the commutator. It is well-known that any automorphism $\psi$ of $F_2$ preserves the conjugacy class of the ...
2 votes
0 answers
98 views

Estimating the cardinality of the set of conjugacy classes of subgroups in a finite group of given order

1. Let $G$ be a finite group of order $n$. I need an estimate for the number $c$ of conjugacy classes of subgroups $D\subseteq G$. Note that any subgroup of $G$ contains $1_G$, and so the set of all ...
31 votes
1 answer
2k views

Navigating $\mathbb{Z}/p\mathbb{Z}$

$\newcommand{\Z}{\mathbb{Z}}$Let's consider a silly-looking question first. Consider $\Z/p\Z$. Say I am allowed the two operations $x\mapsto x+1$ and $x\mapsto 2x$. Then, starting from $0$, I can ...
2 votes
3 answers
345 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 ...
1 vote
0 answers
117 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 $\...
8 votes
1 answer
489 views

Elements living in the conjugacy class and in the centralizer of an $m$-cycle in $A_m$

Let $m>1$ be an odd natural number, $x$ a $m$-cycle in $A_m$, the alternating group in $m$ letters, $C$ the conjugacy class of $x$ in $A_m$. Question: How can I describe the elements in the set $\{ ...
9 votes
0 answers
189 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 ...
2 votes
1 answer
193 views

Sparsity of q in groups PSL(2,q) that are K_4-simple

One of the problems that has come up during my research concerns $K_4$-simple groups (simple groups with $4$ prime divisors). The only (potentially) infinite family of groups satisfying this condition ...
12 votes
1 answer
450 views

abelian quotients of permutation groups

Let $G$ be a subgroup of the permutation group $S_n$, and let $H$ be a normal subgroup of $G$ such that the quotient group $G/H$ is abelian. What is the best known upper estimate for the cardinality $...
3 votes
0 answers
116 views

Ways to tell from residues modulo prime factors if $z$ is below half point

Let $N=\prod_{k=0}^{k=m}{ p_k }$ be a square-free odd integer where $p_k$ is a prime. If we are given any integer $g$ such that $0<g<N$, it is very easy to tell if $g < \frac{N}{2}$ or not. ...
5 votes
1 answer
358 views

The number of polynomials on a finite group, II

This question is follow up of this MO-post. First let us recall the necessary definitions. A function $f:X\to X$ on a group $X$ is called a polynomial if there exists $n\in\mathbb N$ and elements $a_0,...
0 votes
1 answer
213 views

A particular permutation on $\mathbb{Z}_n$

Let us consider $\mathbb{Z}_N=\{0,1,\cdots N-1\}$. Does there exist any permutation $\sigma$ on $\mathbb{Z}_N$ satisfying : $$\exists p,q\in\mathbb{N}, ~~p,q\neq0 (mod~N) ~~\forall i,j\in \mathbb{Z}...
1 vote
1 answer
266 views

Strange result of divisibility

I have noticed experimentally that the following question has a positive answer. Let $p>5$ and $H$ be a subgroup of $(\mathbb Z/p\mathbb Z) ^*$, with $a\in H$ and $a>2$. Is it true that $$(a-1)\...
11 votes
1 answer
416 views

Number of 1's in binary expansion of $a_n = \frac{2^{\varphi(3^n)}-1}{3^n}$

My question is about the Hamming Weight (or number of 1's in binary expansion) of $a_n = \frac{2^{\varphi(3^n)}-1}{3^n}$ A152007 For example, $a_3 = 9709 = (10110111101001)_2 $ has nine 1's in binary ...
18 votes
0 answers
2k views

$G$ a group, with $p$ a prime number, and $|G|=2^p-1$, is it abelian?

During my research I came across this question, I proposed it in the chat, but nobody could find a counterexample, so I allow myself to ask you : $G$ a group, with $p$ a prime number, and $|G|=2^p-1$, ...
1 vote
0 answers
94 views

A question concerning finite metacyclic groups

Consider a finite metacyclic group with presentation $$G = \langle x,y \, |\, y^n=1, x^u=y^r, x^{-1}yx = y^k \rangle,$$ where $r \mid n$. Is it true that if $G$ does not split (i.e. $G$ is a not a ...
55 votes
3 answers
3k views

Is there an odd-order group whose order is the sum of the orders of the proper normal subgroups?

For a finite group G, let |G| denote the order of G and write $D(G) = \sum_{N \triangleleft G} |N|$, the sum of the orders of the normal subgroups. I would like to call G "perfect" if D(G) = 2|G|, ...
8 votes
2 answers
479 views

Abundancy index and non-solvable finite groups

Let $\sigma$ be the sum-of-divisors function. A number $n$ is called abundant if $\sigma(n)>2n$. Note that the natural density of the abundant numbers is about $25 \%$. The abundancy index of $n$ ...
13 votes
2 answers
668 views

On the sum of the subgroup orders of a finite group

Let $G$ be a finite group. Consider the function providing the sum of the subgroups orders $$\sigma(G) = \sum_{H \le G} |H|.$$ Note that if $C_n$ is cyclic of order $n$ then $\sigma(C_n) = \sigma(n)$, ...
1 vote
1 answer
267 views

Adding $n$-tuples over groups

Consider a finite abelian group $\mathcal{G}$. Let $S_0$ be a $n$-tuple of elements of $\mathcal{G}$, and let $S_i$ be the cyclically shifted version of $S_0$ by $i$ indices to the right. So for ...
12 votes
1 answer
455 views

Is there a classification of finite simple groups of perfect power order?

The finite simple group $\operatorname{PSp}(4,7)$ has order $138297600 = 11760^2$. There also seems to be a description of the $q$ such that $\operatorname{PSp}(4,q)$ has square order, see for example ...
3 votes
0 answers
115 views

On group varieties and numbers

Suppose $\mathfrak{U}$ is a group variety. Let’s define $N_{\mathfrak{U}} \subset \mathbb{N}$ as a such set of numbers, that for any finite group $G$, $|G| \in N_{\mathfrak{U}}$ implies $G \in \...
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 $486$ ...
1 vote
0 answers
127 views

Lower and upper bounds of the distance between two Frobenius numbers

I consider two sequences of numbers: $A=\{a_1,...,a_{m-1},n\}$ and $B=\{n-a_{m-1},...,n-a_1,n\}$, where $a_1 < a_2 < ... < a_{m-1} < n$ and $\gcd(A) = \gcd(B) = 1$. I investigate the ...
0 votes
1 answer
223 views

Greatest common divisor of two specified sequences of numbers (search for equality)

I consider two sequences of numbers $A=\{a_1,...,a_n\}$ and $B=\{k-a_1,...,k-a_n\}$, where $a_1 \le a_2 \le ... \le a_n \le k$. I am looking for such conditions under which: $\gcd(a_1,...,a_n) = \gcd(...
1 vote
0 answers
69 views

On equality of two quotients of a congruence subgroup

Related question: Non-torsion part of the abelianisation of congruence subgroups Let $A = \mathbb{F}_q[T]$ be the ring of polynomials with coefficients in a finite field, with $N$ a nonconstant ...
11 votes
2 answers
577 views

About normal minimal subgroups not in the Frattini

In Neukirch--Schmidt--Wingberg, "Cohomology of Number Fields", Second edition, page 624, Exercise 2, it is stated the following fact. $\textbf{Claim}$: If $N$ is a normal subgroup, minimal among ...
0 votes
1 answer
283 views

Is any abelian subgroup of a semidirect product isomorphic to a direct product of abelian subgroups? [closed]

Let $H$ and $K$ be groups and $V$ an abelian subgroup of the semidirect product $\ H\rtimes K$. Do there exist abelian subgroups $H^{\prime }\leq H$ \ and $K^{\prime }\leq K$ \ such that $V\cong H^{\...
5 votes
0 answers
117 views

$m$-thick sets with small $n$-fold sumsets in finite cyclic groups

Problem. Is it true that for every positive integers $n,m$ there exists a subset $A_{n,m}$ of a finite cyclic group $G$ having the following two properties: $(\Sigma_n)$ the $n$-fold sum $A_{n,m}^{+...
3 votes
1 answer
314 views

Probability in $GL_2(\mathbb{Z}/p^{r}\mathbb{Z})$

My question may be not interesting or easy to answer ! but I am really not familiar with proba. Let $p$ be an odd prime number. and let $r\geq1$ an integer. choose an element $A\in\mathrm{GL}_2(\...
22 votes
1 answer
2k views

Monstrous moonshine for $M_{24}$ and K3?

An important piece of Monstrous moonshine is the j-function, $$j(\tau) = \frac{1}{q}+744+196884q+21493760q^2+\dots\tag{1}$$ In the paper "Umbral Moonshine" (2013), page 5, authors Cheng, Duncan, and ...
3 votes
1 answer
157 views

On the Upper Density of $C_2$ in finite groups

We define the upper density $\rho (G)$ of a finite group $G$ as the ratio of the number of finite groups of order $<n$ which contain a subgroup isomorphic to $G$ to the number of groups of order $&...
10 votes
1 answer
302 views

Finite subgroups of Lie group over algebraic ring of integers

I have frequently seen results like: There are 4 isomorphism types of finite subgroups of $SL_2(\mathbb{Z})$, namely $\mathbb{Z}_2,\mathbb{Z}_3,\mathbb{Z}_4,\mathbb{Z}_6$. I wonder what is known of ...
2 votes
1 answer
186 views

Number of homomorphism, or number of solution to equations, in finite groups

Let $G$ be a finite group, and let $P$ be a finitely generated group. Consider the number $$n=\#Hom_{Grp}(P,G).$$ It is known (see Number of solutions to equations in finite groups) that under ...
16 votes
1 answer
730 views

Transitive actions of finite subgroups of ${\rm GL}(n,\Bbb Z)$ on projective geometries

For any $n$, the group ${\rm GL}(n,\Bbb Z)$ has a natural action on $\Bbb Z^n$. Modding out a prime $p$ yields an action on the vector space $F_p^n$, where $F_p$ is the finite field with $p$ elements. ...
13 votes
4 answers
2k views

Which groups are Galois over some p-adic field?

Suppose I have some finite $p$-group $G$, or a little extension of it. How do I know if there exists a prime $l$ and a finite extension $K$ of $\mathbb{Q}_l$ such that $G$ is the Galois group of ...
1 vote
3 answers
1k views

primes dividing binomial coefficients

Dear All, I am considering maximal subgroups of odd index in Alternating and Symmetric groups, and this leeds me to some questions on binomial coefficients that I presently do not know and that I ...
27 votes
2 answers
2k views

Monstrous Moonshine for Thompson group $Th$?

I. As a background, in Traces of Singular Moduli (p.2), Zagier defines the modular form of weight 3/2, $$g(\tau) = \frac{\eta^2(\tau)}{\eta(2\tau)}\frac{E_4(4\tau)}{\eta^6(4\tau)}=\vartheta_4(\tau)\, ...
32 votes
3 answers
3k views

Is there a nice explanation for this curious fact about cyclic subgroups?

Here's something that I noticed that quite surprised me. Let $G$ be a finite abelian group. Consider the following expression. $$ \nu(G) = \sum_{\substack{H \leq G \\ H \text{ is cyclic}}} |H| $$ It ...
1 vote
0 answers
194 views

The number of fixed points of an automorphism of $\mathbb{Z}_m\times\mathbb{Z}_n$

Let $m$ and $n$ be two positive integers such that the groups $\mathbb{Z}_m$ and $\mathbb{Z}_n$ have no common direct factor. Then an automorphism $f$ of $\mathbb{Z}_m\times\mathbb{Z}_n$ is of type $$\...
5 votes
2 answers
571 views

Exceptional isomorphisms between finite simple Chevalley groups

Steinberg's "Lectures on Chevalley Groups" https://math.depaul.edu/cdrupies/research/papers/chevalleygroups.pdf contain ``a complete list of isomorphisms" among the various finite simple Chevalley ...
13 votes
3 answers
475 views

Explicit construction of an element of ${\rm GL}(2, p)$ of order $p+1$

It is well-known that the order of $GL(2, p)$ is $(p^2-1)(p^2-p) = (p-1)^2(p+1)p.$ It is easy to construct matrices of orders $(p-1)$ and $p$ (diagonal and parabolic, respectively), but the only way ...
11 votes
2 answers
593 views

Characterization of finite groups using sum of the orders of their elements

Notation: If $G$ is a finite group, $o(g)$ denotes the order of the element $g\in G$. Motivation: Some finite groups could be uniquely determined by the size of the group. For example given a prime ...
4 votes
1 answer
328 views

Maximum length of chains of subgroup in GL(n,q)

Let G=GL(n,q) be a general linear group n-dimensional over a field with q element (q power of a prime). I am looking for an estimate of maximum length of chains of subgroup in G. Thanks.
2 votes
1 answer
211 views

Finite sequences which happen to be the sequence of orders of elements of a simple group

Let $n\in \Bbb N$. Any finite group $G$ with $|G|=n$ has a solution for the Diophantine equation $$\sum_{d|n}x_d\phi(d)=n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(1)$$ where $\phi$ is the Euler's totient function, $d$ ...
6 votes
2 answers
417 views

How simple does a $\mathbb{Q}$-simple group remain after base change to $\mathbb{Q}_{\ell}$?

Of course the general answer to the question in the title is: not very simple. I could not think of a better title, so let me explain my question in more detail. I have a number field $E/\mathbb{Q}$, ...
2 votes
0 answers
235 views

Does knowing $g, g^r, g^{r^2}, g^{r^3}, \dotsc$ sometimes offer a significant advantage in finding $r$?

Is there a cyclic group $\mathcal G$ with generator $g$ for which the discrete log problem is assumed to be hard, but knowing $g, g^r, g^{r^2}, g^{r^3}, \dotsc$ for random $r$ makes finding $r$ easy? ...
23 votes
2 answers
2k views

divisors of $p^4+1$ of the form $kp+1$

In group theory the number of Sylow $p$-subgroups of a finite group $G$, is of the form $kp+1$. So it is interesting to discuss about the divisors of this form. As I checked it seems that for an odd ...
3 votes
0 answers
102 views

Localized at $p$ integral representations of finite elementary $p$-groups

Let $C_p$ be a cyclic group of prime order $p$. Let $F=C_p^n=C_p\times\dots\times C_p$ ($n$ times). I would like to to classify finite dimensional representations of $F$ over ${\mathbb{Z}}$. However, ...
10 votes
4 answers
1k views

The powers of non-empty subset of a group that generate a subgroup

If G is a group and A and B to non-empty subsets of G, then by AB we mean the set consist of all product ab where a is in A and b is in B.(Standard definition) Similarly we can define X^m where X is a ...