All Questions
286 questions
12
votes
0
answers
340
views
Does every finite group have a small projective representation (over some ring)?
Question. Let $G$ be a finite group. Can we find some (commutative) ring $R$ and some positive integer $d=O(\log\lvert G\rvert)$ such that $G$ can be found as a subgroup of $\operatorname{PGL}_d(R)$?
...
- 602
2
votes
2
answers
206
views
Software library for complex irreducible representations of $\mathrm{PSL}_n(q)$
I came across an extremely useful Python software library for the Monster group: https://github.com/Martin-Seysen/mmgroup which allows for all sorts of manipulations involving the sporadic finite ...
- 37.4k
2
votes
1
answer
161
views
Smallest dimensional faithful complex representation of $\mathrm{PSL}(k,q)$
For given $k>1$ and $q$ a prime power, what is the minimal dimension, as a function of $(k,q)$, for which a faithful complex representation of the projective special linear group over $\mathbb{F}_q$...
- 44.4k
37
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Is this generalized character always a character?
Let $G$ be a finite group, and $p$ be a prime. Then there is a generalized character $\Psi$ of $G$ which takes value $0$ on all elements of order divisible by $p$, and has $\Psi(y)$ equal to the ...
- 44.4k
1
vote
0
answers
92
views
Finite groups whose center nontrivially represented in irreps with coprime dimensions
I have been searching for a finite non-abelian group $G$ with the following properties:
Its center $Z(G)$ acts as the identity in all dimension one irreps (i.e., $Z(G)$ is a subgroup of the ...
- 11
5
votes
1
answer
211
views
The rank of indecomposable finite abelian 2-group
$\DeclareMathOperator\rank{rank}$Let $P$ be a finite $p$-group. The rank of $P$ is $\log_{p}|P/\Phi(P)|$ where $\Phi(P)$ is the Frattini subgroup of $P$, we write $\rank(P)=\log_{p}|P/\Phi(P)|$.
Let a ...
1
vote
0
answers
172
views
Isomorphism classes of finite $\mathbb{N}$-groups
Where can I find resources on isomorphism classes of finite $\mathbb{N}$-groups, i.e. groups acted on by the monoid $(\mathbb{N}, +)$?
I edited this question to be more focused on what I'm interested ...
- 63.9k
2
votes
1
answer
273
views
Equivariant Smith normal form?
Let $F$ be a finitely generated free $\mathbb{Z}$-module on which the group $G$ of two elements acts via group homomorphisms. Let $F'$ be a $G$-invariant submodule. By Smith normal form we know that ...
- 3,031
35
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Being a subgroup: proof by character theory
Let me first cite a theorem due to Frobenius:
Let $G$ be a finite group, with $H$ a proper subgroup ($H\ne (1)$ and $G$). Suppose that for every $g\not\in H$, we have $H\cap gHg^{-1}=(1)$. Then
$...
- 44.4k
9
votes
2
answers
438
views
Irreducible tensor product representations in finite simple groups
$\DeclareMathOperator\GL{GL}\DeclareMathOperator\PSL{PSL}\DeclareMathOperator\PSp{PSp}\DeclareMathOperator\PSU{PSU}$Background:
A representation $ \rho: G \to \GL(V) $ of a group $ G $ on a (complex) ...
4
votes
0
answers
160
views
Largest primitive subgroup of $\mathrm{GL}_8(\mathbb{C})$ of order $2^a 3^b 5^c$
The paper "Bounds for finite primitive complex linear groups" by M. Collins computes the largest possible value of $[G:Z(G)]$ for $G$ a primitive subgroup of $\mathrm{GL}_N(\mathbb{C})$, for ...
- 63.9k
4
votes
1
answer
249
views
The number of irreducible characters of simple groups of Lie type
Let $S$ be a simple group of Lie type defining over $\mathbb{F}_q$ where $q$ is a power of a prime $p$ and let $\sigma$ a nontrivial field automorphism of $S$.
Set $\mathrm{C}_{S}(\sigma)$ the ...
- 44.4k
4
votes
2
answers
254
views
Order of abelian subgroup of the automorphism group of an abelian group
Suppose $A$ is a finite abelian group and $B\leq\operatorname{Aut}(A)$ is abelian. Is it possible for the order of $B$ to be strictly greater than the order of $A$? What if I additionally impose that ...
- 1,338
17
votes
2
answers
860
views
The sum (with multiplicity) of the cubes of irreducible character degrees of a finite group
Throughout $G$ is a finite, non-abelian group.
$\DeclareMathOperator\Irr{Irr}\DeclareMathOperator\AD{AD}\DeclareMathOperator\cp{cp}\newcommand\card[1]{\lvert#1\rvert}$
Let $\Irr(G)$ be the set of ...
- 25.8k
1
vote
0
answers
178
views
Applications of Artin's theorem on induced representations
Let $G$ be a finite group and let $R(G)$ be the (complex) representation ring of $G$. As stated in Serre's book on representation theory, Artin's theorem says the following:
Theorem: Let $X$ be a ...
- 12.9k
14
votes
0
answers
527
views
Is the monster group maximal in SO(196883)?
$\DeclareMathOperator\SO{SO}$The smallest degree of a nontrivial complex representation of the monster group $ M $ is $ 196883 $. This irrep has Schur indicator $ 1 $, so the image must lie in the ...
- 12.9k
3
votes
1
answer
296
views
Distinct characters with the same character values, outer automorphisms and Galois conjugation
Given an (irreducible complex) character of a finite group the following three construction all yield another irreducible character of the same degree:
multiplying by a degree 1 character
applying an ...
- 148k
1
vote
0
answers
110
views
Character table of $\mathrm{P\Gamma L}_2(q)$ with $q$ even
Let $q = 2^f$ for some integer $f\geqslant 3$. The character table of $\mathrm{SL}_2(q)\cong\mathrm{PSL}_2(q)$ can be deduced from the character table of $\mathrm{GL}_2(q)$ (see, for example, Exercise ...
- 379
18
votes
2
answers
1k
views
The mysterious significance of local subgroups in finite group theory
EDIT 21/12: Even if there are no conclusive answers to these questions, I would very much like to know if anyone has noted and attempted to explain the mysterious significance of local subgroups: are ...
- 44.4k
8
votes
0
answers
383
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
$$
N^{r+1}(H)=\{ g \in \GL(n,\mathbb{C}): g H g^{-1} \subset N^r(H) \...
- 4,081
10
votes
1
answer
237
views
For which finite groups $G$ is $M_n(\mathbb{Q}(\zeta))$ a factor of $\mathbb{Q}[G]$?
I am cross-posting this question from my MSE post here, in case someone here can answer it.
For a finite group $G$, the rational group ring $\mathbb{Q}[G]$ has a Wedderburn decomposition:
$$
\mathbb{Q}...
- 2,368
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 $...
- 2,217
20
votes
2
answers
948
views
The finite groups with a zero entry in each column of its character table (except the first one)
$\DeclareMathOperator\PSL{PSL}\DeclareMathOperator\Aut{Aut}$Consider the class of finite groups $G$ having a zero entry in each column of its character table (except the first one), i.e. for all $g \...
4
votes
1
answer
633
views
Homomorphisms from binary polyhedral group to compact Lie groups
Are homomorphisms from binary polyhedral groups to (simple and simply connected) compact Lie groups classified?
For cyclic groups, the result is well known (see e.g. Kac's "Infinite dimensional Lie ...
- 1,336
9
votes
1
answer
291
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 $G < \mr{GL}_n(\C)$ ...
- 44.4k
5
votes
1
answer
292
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) ...
- 3,054
2
votes
0
answers
65
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 ...
- 4,081
17
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why do these two Monster-related calculations yield $163$?
Fact 1: (1979, Conway and Norton)$^{1}$
"There are $194-22-9=\color{blue}{163\,}$ $\mathbb{Z}$-independent McKay-Thompson series for the Monster."
Note: There are 194 (linear) irreducible ...
- 12.6k
0
votes
0
answers
85
views
Is a Lagrangian subgroup of a metric group isomorphic to its quotient?
A metric group is a finite abelian group $G$ with a quadratic function
$$q:G\rightarrow \mathbb R/\mathbb Z\;,$$
that is,
$$M(a,b):= q(a+b)-q(a)-q(b)$$
is bilinear in $a$ and $b$ [edit: and non-...
- 12.9k
3
votes
1
answer
301
views
The torsion subgroup of the coinvariants for a $G$-module
Let $G$ be a finite group and $M$ be a finitely generated $G$-module,
that is, a finitely generated abelian group on which $G$ acts.
Consider the functor
$$ (G,M)\rightsquigarrow F(G,M):= (M_G)_{\rm ...
- 12.9k
1
vote
0
answers
179
views
Irreducible module of finite simple groups
Let $G$ be a finite simple group and $p$ be a prime divisor of $|G|$.
Let $V$ be a nontrivial irreducible $\mathbb{F}_p[G]$ module.
I would like to understand the relation of $|V|$ and $|G|_p$ (the $p$...
- 63.9k
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 $g\in G\backslash H$....
- 63.9k
5
votes
0
answers
115
views
Rigid points of $\mathrm{Co}_0$
Let the rigid points of a matrix group refer to subgroups of it that stabilize a nonzero vector and are maximal among such subgroups.
How many conjugacy classes of rigid points are there under the ...
- 2,773
2
votes
0
answers
220
views
Characters of alternating groups
I am studying certain properties of characters of alternating groups and I have found precisely three characters not satisfying it up to $A_{15}$. These are:
A character of dimension $3.696$ of $A_{...
- 63.9k
19
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What can be said about Schur indices, given only the character table?
Let $\chi$ be an irreducible (complex) character of a finite group, $G$. The Schur index $m_{K}(\chi)$ of $\chi$ over the field $K$ is the smallest positive integer $m$ such that $m\chi$ is afforded ...
- 2,368
2
votes
0
answers
68
views
Dual representation of a transitive semilinear group
This seems like it should be known, but I couldn't find a reference.
Let $V$ be a finite vector space and let $G$ be a group of semilinear maps on $V$ (i.e. linear composed with a field automorphism). ...
- 4,728
1
vote
0
answers
179
views
Character extension about $Q_8$
Recently, I am studying the book Navarro - Character Theory and the McKay Conjecture. I am trying to solve the following exercise:
(Exercise 5.9)
Let $G$ be a finite group and $N\unlhd G$, suppose ...
- 195
6
votes
0
answers
320
views
(CFSG-free) Finite simple groups whose character degrees square divide its order
Let $G$ be a finite group. It is well-known that for all irreducible complex character $\chi$ then $\deg(\chi)$ divides $\lvert G\rvert$. Motivated by some problems with modular tensor categories, we ...
4
votes
1
answer
274
views
Wedderburn decomposition of special linear groups
$\DeclareMathOperator\SL{SL}\newcommand\card[1]{\lvert#1\rvert}$I want to study about Wedderburn decomposition of group algebra $k\SL(n,\mathbb{F}_p)$ where $k$ is either an algebraically closed field ...
- 13k
4
votes
2
answers
433
views
What is the current status of representation theory of $n$-ary groups in terms of hypermatrices?
An $n$-ary group is a generalization of the usual concept of a group where the binary operation (2-argument operation) is instead an $n$-ary ($n$-argument) operation. More info here on Wikipedia.
I ...
- 2,284
5
votes
1
answer
508
views
Finite maximal closed subgroups of Lie groups
Cross-posted from MSE
https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/4272017/finite-maximal-closed-subgroups-of-lie-groups
$\newcommand{\G}{\mathcal{G}} \newcommand{\K}{\mathcal{K}} \DeclareMathOperator\SU{...
- 4,081
4
votes
1
answer
343
views
Converse of Clifford's theorem for a semidirect product
Suppose that a group $G$ is a semidirect product $G = N \rtimes H$ with $N \trianglelefteq G$.
Let $\mathbb{F}$ be a field.
Say $V$ is a finite-dimensional $\mathbb{F}[G]$-module such that $V \...
- 2,217
6
votes
1
answer
567
views
Finite simple groups and $ \operatorname{SU}_n $
A follow-up question to Alternating subgroups of $\mathrm{SU}_n $.
$\DeclareMathOperator\PU{PU}\DeclareMathOperator\PSU{PSU}\DeclareMathOperator\PSL{PSL}$Let $ \PU_m $ be the projective unitary group, ...
- 4,081
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 $C_1$, $C_2$, $C_2^2$, $S_3$, $D_8$, $Q_8$, $C_2^3$, $...
- 44.4k
2
votes
0
answers
244
views
Existence of $\sqrt{2}$ in a finite group algebra over $\mathbb{Q}$
I cannot find a finite group $G$ such that $\exists x\in \mathbb{Q}[G]$ with $x^2=2e$, where $\mathbb{Q}[G]$ is the group algebra of $G$ over $\mathbb{Q}$.
I also could not prove it does not exist. ...
5
votes
1
answer
244
views
What are the indecomposable modules over $\mathbb{F}_2(C_2\times C_2)$?
Let $C_2$ be the cyclic group of order $2$ and $\mathbb{F}_2$ the field with $2$ elements. Consider the group algebra $A:= \mathbb{F}_2 (C_2\times C_2)$. It is well-known that $A$ has infinite ...
- 1,143
5
votes
1
answer
253
views
Irreducible deleted permutation module for a finite group
Let $G$ be a subgroup of the symmetric group $S_n = \operatorname{Sym}(X)$.
Let $k$ be a field, and let $V$ be the permutation module corresponding to $X$.
Then $V$ is not irreducible, it has a $1$-...
- 2,821
54
votes
4
answers
5k
views
How many square roots can a non-identity element in a group have?
Let $G$ be a finite group. Let $r_2\colon G \to \mathbb{N}$ be the square-root counting function, assigning to each $g\in G$ the number of $x\in G$ with $x^2=g$. Perhaps surprisingly, $r_2$ does not ...
- 805
4
votes
1
answer
237
views
Aschbacher classes for compact simple group
Posted this to MSE several weeks ago and it got 3 upvotes but no answers or even comments so I'm cross-posting to MO
Aschbacher's theorem says that every maximal subgroup of a finite simple classical ...
- 4,081
4
votes
1
answer
253
views
Subgroups and representations of finite groups of Lie type
Is there a usable bound for the minimal index of a proper subgroup in a finite simple group of Lie type in terms of its rank and the characteristic (or even cardinality) of its field of definition?
...
- 11.2k