Element orders in coverings of symmetric and alternating groups

We prove that if the factor group H=G/N of a finite group G is isomorphic to a symmetric or alternating group of degree m, where m≥5 and N≠1, then G has an element whose order is distinct from any element’s order in H. Supported by RFFR grant No. 96-01-01893. Translated fromAlgebra i Logika, Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 296–315, May–June, 1999.     

A characterization of finite nonsimple groups by the set of orders of their elements

It is proved that the permutation wreath product H of a simple Suzuki group Sz(2⁷) and a subgroup fo a symmetric group of degree 23, isomorphic to a Frobenius group of order 253, is (up to isomorphism) distinguished among all finite groups by the set of orders of its elements. Since H possesses a minimal normal subgroup N that contains an element of order equal to the exponent of N, this result furnishes a counterexample to one of the conjectures set forth by Shi [1]. In addition, we show that the direct square of a group Sz(2⁷) is also distinguished by the set of orders of its elements. Supported by RFFR grant No. 96-01-01893. Translated fromAlgebra i Logika, Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 304–322, May–June, 1997.     

The intersection of Sylow subgroups in finite groups

In Theorem 1, letting p be a prime, we prove: (1) If G=S_n is a symmetric group of degree n, then G contains two Sylow p-subgroups with trivial intersection iff (p, n) ∉ {(3, 3), (2, 2), (2, 4), (2, 8)}, and (2) If H=A_n is an alternating group of degree n, then H contains two Sylow p-subgroups with trivial intersection iff (p, n) ∉ {(3, 3), (2, 4)}. In Theorem 2, we argue that if G is a finite simple non-Abelian group and p is a prime, then G contains a pair of Sylow p-subgroups with trivial intersection. Also we present the corollary which says that if P is a Sylow subgroup of a finite simple non-Abelian group G, then ‖G‖>‖P‖². Supported by RFFR grants Nos. 93-01-01529, 93-01-01501, and 96-01-01893, and by International Science Foundation and Government of Russia grant RPC300. Translated fromAlgebra i Logika, Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 424–432, July–August, 1996.     

A characterization of alternating groups. II

Let G be a group. A subset X of G is called an A-subset if X consists of elements of order 3, X is invariant in G, and every two non-commuting members of X generate a subgroup isomorphic to A₄ or to A₅. Let X be the A-subset of G. Define a non-oriented graph Γ(X) with vertex set X in which two vertices are adjacent iff they generate a subgroup isomorphic to A₄. Theorem 1 states the following. Let X be a non-empty A-subset of G. (1) Suppose that C is a connected component of Γ(X) and H = 〈C〉. If H ∩ X does not contain a pair of elements generating a subgroup isomorphic to A₅ then H contains a normal elementary Abelian 2-subgroup of index 3 and a subgroup of order 3 which coincides with its centralizer in H. In the opposite case, H is isomorphic to the alternating group A(I) for some (possibly infinite) set I, |I| ≥ 5. (2) The subgroup 〈X^G〉 is a direct product of subgroups 〈C _α〉-generated by some connected components C _α of Γ(X). Theorem 2 asserts the following. Let G be a group and X⊆G be a non-empty G-invariant set of elements of order 5 such that every two non-commuting members of X generate a subgroup isomorphic to A₅. Then 〈XG〉 is a direct product of groups each of which either is isomorphic to A₅ or is cyclic of order 5. Supported by RFBR grant No. 05-01-00797; FP “Universities of Russia,” grant No. UR.04.01.028; RF Ministry of Education Developmental Program for Scientific Potential of the Higher School of Learning, project No. 511; Council for Grants (under RF President) and State Aid of Fundamental Science Schools, project NSh-2069.2003.1. __________ Translated from Algebra i Logika, Vol. 45, No. 2, pp. 203–214, March–April, 2006.     

Centers of Mal’tsev and alternative algebras

Let ϕ be an associative commutative ring with unity containing 1/6. Let A and B be a free Mal’tsev and a free alternative ϕ-algebras on a set of k≥6 free generators, respectively. We construct nonzero homogeneous elements of degree 7 belonging to an annihilatorAnnA of A, and nonzero homogeneous elements of degree 7 belonging to the center Z(B) of B. It is shown that a nilpotent Mal’tsev algebra of index 8 on a set of 6 generators has no faithful representation. Supported by RFFR grant No. 96-01-01511, and by the Program “Universities of Russia: Fundamental Research.” Translated fromAlgebra i Logika, Vol. 38, No. 5, pp. 613–635, September–October, 1999.     

Central elements of integral group rings

Centers of integral group rings are studied. The notion of a class character ring is introduced and made use of in describing centers of integral group rings. With every automorphism of a character field, associated is an automorphism of the center of an integral group ring. The norm of a central element of an integral group ring is determined and used to obtain invertibility criteria for central elements. Supported by RFFR grant No. 99-01-00550. Translated fromAlgebra i Logika, Vol. 39, No. 5, pp. 513–525, September–October, 2000.     

A characterization of alternating groups

It is proved that a group G generated by a conjugacy class X of elements of order 3, so that every two non-commuting elements of X generate a subgroup isomorphic to an alternating group of degree 4 or 5, is locally finite. More precisely, either G contains a normal elementary 2-subgroup of index 3, or G is isomorphic to an alternating group of permutations on some (possibly infinite) set.Supported by RFBR grant Nos. 02-01-00495 and 02-01-39005, by FP Universities of Russia grant No. UR.04.01.0202, and by the Council for Grants (under RF President) and State Aid of Fundamental Science Schools, project NSh-2069.2003.1.Translated from Algebra i Logika, Vol. 44, No. 1, pp. 54–69, January–February, 2005.     

Nilpotent groups admitting an almost regular automorphism of order four

We consider locally nilpotent periodic groups admitting an almost regular automorphism of order 4. The following are results are proved: (1) If a locally nilpotent periodic group G admits an automorphism ϕ of order 4 having exactly m<∞ fixed points, then (a) the subgroup {ie176-1} contains a subgroup of m-bounded index in {ie176-2} which is nilpotent of m-bounded class, and (b) the group G contains a subgroup V of m-bounded index such that the subgroup {ie176-3} is nilpotent of m-bounded class (Theorem 1); (2) If a locally nilpotent periodic group G admits an automorphism ϕ of order 4 having exactly m<∞ fixed points, then it contains a subgroup V of m-bounded index such that, for some m-bounded number f(m), the subgroup {ie176-4}, generated by all f(m) th powers of elements in {ie176-5} is nilpotent of class ≤3 (Theorem 2). Supported by RFFR grant No. 94-01-00048 and by ISF grant NQ7000. Translated fromAlgebra i Logika, Vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 314–333, May–June, 1996.     

Computing test rank for a free solvable group

It is proved that test rank of a free solvable non-Abelian group of finite rank is 1 less than the rank of that group. This gives the answer to Question 14.88 posed in the Kourovka Notebook by Fine and Shpilrain, asking whether or not a free solvable group of rank 2 and solvability index n ≥ 3 has test elements. Supported by RFBR grant No. 05-01-00292. __________ Translated from Algebra i Logika, Vol. 45, No. 4, pp. 447–457, July–August, 2006.     

Maximal quasivarieties of groups

We consider a lattice L_q(qG) of quasivarieties contained in the quasivariety qG, generated by a polycyclic-by-finite group G. It is proved that the lattice contains a finite set of coatoms (i.e., proper maximal elements) and that each of its elements distinct from qG is contained in some coatom. We construct an example of a finitely generated solvable group B of derived length 3, whose quasivariety lattice L_q(qB) is freed of coatoms. Supported by RFFR grant No. 96-01-00088, and by the RF Committee of Higher Education. Translated fromAlgebra i Logika, Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 279–290, May–June, 1998.     

Irreducible characters of the group S n that are semiproportional on A n

Previously, we dubbed the conjecture that the alternating group A_n has no semiproportional irreducible characters for any natural n [1]. This conjecture was then shown to be equivalent to the following [3]. Let α and β be partitions of a number n such that their corresponding characters χ^α and χ^β in the group S_n are semiproportional on A_n. Then one of the partitions α or β is self-associated. Here, we describe all pairs (α, β) of partitions satisfying the hypothesis and the conclusion of the latter conjecture. Supported by RFBR (grant No. 07-01-00148) and by RFBR-NSFC (grant No. 05-01-39000). __________ Translated from Algebra i Logika, Vol. 47, No. 2, pp. 135–156, March–April, 2008.     

Partially commutative metabelian groups: centralizers and elementary equivalence

For partially commutative metabelian groups, annihilators of elements of commutator subgroups are described; canonical representations of elements are defined; approximability by torsion-free nilpotent groups is proved; centralizers of elements are described. Also, it is proved that two partially commutative metabelian groups have equal elementary theories iff their defining graphs are isomorphic, and that every partially commutative metabelian group is embeddable in a metabelian group with decidable universal theory. Dedicated to V. N. Remeslennikov on the occasion of his 70th birthday Supported by RFBR (project No. 09-01-00099). Translated from Algebra i Logika, Vol. 48, No. 3, pp. 309–341, May–June, 2009.     

Using Fox Derivatives in Treating Groups of the Form F/[R′, F]

For a factor group with respect to periodic part of a group of the form F/[R′, F], an embedding in the matrix group is defined. The criteria for a matrix to belong to an image of this group and for elements to be conjugate are specified. Some statements having a direct bearing on groups of the form in question are proved. Application of the results obtained allows us to refine the answer in [7] to a question by O. Chapuis concerning the universal classification of ∀-free soluble groups with two generators. Supported by RFBR grant No. 02-01-00293 and by FP “Universities of Russia” grant No. UR.04.01.227. __________ Translated from Algebra i Logika, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 114–125, January–February, 2006.     

Generating triples of involutions for lie-type groups over a finite field of odd characteristic. I

It is proved that a simple Lie-type group of rank l≤4 over a field of odd characteristic is generated by three involutions of which two are commuting. As a consequence, the following results obtains: G is generated by two elements one of which is an involution and the order of the other is at most 2h, where h is the Coxeter number of a root system associated with G. Supported by RFFR grant No. 94-01-01084. Translated fromAlgebra i Logika, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 77–96, January–February, 1997.     

Conjugately dense subgroups of free products of groups with amalgamation

A subgroup having non-empty intersection with each class of conjugate elements of the group is said to be conjugately dense. It is shown that, under certain conditions, the number of conjugately dense subgroups in a free product with amalgamation is not less than some cardinal. As a consequence, P. Neumann’s conjecture in the Kourovka notebook (Question 6.38) is refuted. It is also stated that a modular group and a non-Abelian group of countable or finite rank possess continuum many pairwise non-conjugate conjugately dense subgroups. Supported by RFBR grant No. 03-01-00905. __________ Translated from Algebra i Logika, Vol. 45, No. 5, pp. 520–537, September–October, 2006.     

Free products of groups have no outer normal automorphisms

An automorphism of an arbitrary group is called normal if all subgroups of this group are left invariant by it. Lubotski [1] and Lue [2] showed that every normal automorphism of a noncyclic free group is inner. Here we prove that every normal automorphism of a nontrivial free product of groups is inner as well. Supported by RFFR grant No. 13-011-1513. Translated fromAlgebra i Logika, Vol. 35, No. 5, pp. 562–566, September–October, 1996.     

Minimal permutation representations of finite simple exceptional groups of typesE 6,E 7, andE 8

A minimal permutation representation of a group is its faithful permutation representation of least degree. We will find degrees and point stabilizers, as well as ranks, subdegrees, and double stabilizers, for groups of types E₆, E₇, and E₈. This brings to a close the study of minimal permutation representations of finite simple Chevalley groups. Supported by RFFR grant No. 93-01-01501, through the program “Universities of Russia,” and by grant No. RPC300 of ISF and the Government of Russia. Translated fromAlgebra i Logika, Vol. 36, No. 5, pp. 518–530, September–October, 1997.     

Recognition of finite simple groupsL 3(2 m ) ANDU 3(2 m ) by their element orders

It is proved that a finite group isomorphic to a simple non-Abelian group L₃(2^m) or U₃(2^m) is, up to isomorphism, recognizable by a set of its element orders. On the other hand, for every simple group S=S₄(2^m), there exist infinitely many pairwise non-isomorphic groups G with w(G)=w(S). As a consequence, we present a list of all recognizable finite simple groups G, for which 4t ∉ ω(G) with t>1. Supported by RFFR grant No. 99-01-00550, by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant No. 19871066), and by the State Education Ministry of China (grant No. 98083). Translated fromAlgebra i Logika, Vol. 39, No. 5, pp. 567–585, September–October, 2000.     

Real Closed Graded Fields

We investigate homogeneous orderings on G-graded rings where G is an arbitrary ordered abelian group. For this we introduce the notion of real closed graded fields. We generalize the Artin–Schreier characterization of real closed fields to the graded context. We also characterize real closed graded fields in terms of the group G and in terms of its homogeneous elements of degree 0. Supported by DFG-project KN202/5-1.