Startseite (3, 𝑞, 𝑟)-generations of Fischer's sporadic group Fi′24
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(3, 𝑞, 𝑟)-generations of Fischer's sporadic group Fi′24

  • Faryad Ali EMAIL logo , Mohammed Ali Faya Ibrahim und Andrew Woldar
Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 20. Januar 2019

Abstract

A group G is said to be (l,m,n)-generated if it can be generated by two suitable elements x and y such that o(x)=l, o(y)=m and o(xy)=n. In [J. Moori, (p,q,r)-generations for the Janko groups J1 and J2, Nova J. Algebra Geom. 2 1993, 3, 277–285], J. Moori posed the problem of finding all triples of distinct primes (p,q,r) for which a finite non-abelian simple group is (p,q,r)-generated. In the present article, we partially answer this question for Fischer’s largest sporadic simple group Fi24 by determining all (3,q,r)-generations, where q and r are prime divisors of |Fi24| with 3<q<r.

1 Introduction

A group G is said to be (l,m,n)-generated if G=x,y, where the elements x,y,xy have respective orders o(x)=l, o(y)=m, o(xy)=n. In such case, G is a quotient group of the Von Dyck group D(l,m,n), and therefore it is also (π(l),π(m),π(n))-generated for any πS3. Thus one may assume straightaway that lmn.

Initially, the study of (l,m,n)-generations of a group G had deep connections to the topological problem of determining the least genus of an orientable surface on which G admits an effective, orientation-preserving, conformal action. In [27], J. Moori extended these investigations beyond the “minimum genus problem” to all possible (p,q,r)-generations, assuming G to be a finite non-abelian simple group and p,q,r to be distinct primes. Generational results of this type have since proved to be quite useful and interesting.

Note that if p divides l and q divides m, then (p,q,r)-generation implies (l,m,n)-generation for some value of n; however, the precise determination of n requires additional work, which oftentimes is quite substantial.

Groups that can be generated by an involution and an element of order 3 are said to (2,3)-generated, and such generations have been of particular interest to combinatorists and group theorists. The quintessential example of a (2,3)-generated group is the modular group PSL(2,), which, being the free product of the groups 2 and 3, acts as a universal cover. This implies that any group generated by an involution and an element of order 3 is a quotient group of PSL(2,). Connections with Hurwitz groups, regular maps, Beauville surfaces and structures provide additional motivation for the study of these groups. (Recall that a Hurwitz group is one that can be (2,3,7)-generated.)

If a simple group G is (l,m,n)-generated, then by Conder [9] either GA5 or 1l+1m+1n<1. In particular, this implies that every simple (3,m,n)-generated group acts conformally on a closed compact Riemann surface obtained as the quotient of a discrete holomorphic action of D(3,m,n) on the hyperbolic plane .

In [21, 20, 19, 22, 23, 27], Ganief and Moori established all possible (p,q,r)-generations for the sporadic groups He, HS, Co2, Co3, J1, J2, J3, J4, Fi22, where p,q,r are distinct prime divisors of the group order. Further, Darafsheh, Ashrafi and their co-authors determined such (p,q,r)-generations for the sporadic groups He, Co1, Ly, O’N, HN, Ru, Th (cf. [13, 12, 15, 14, 16, 6, 7, 8]). More recently (cf. [3, 5]), the authors determined all (2,q,r)-generations for Fischer’s sporadic simple groups Fi23 and Fi24. (See also [1, 2, 17, 24] for further details on the generation of finite simple groups by two elements.)

The focus of the present article is on (3,q,r)-generations of Fi24, where q and r are prime divisors of |Fi24| with 3<q<r. The case of (p,q,r)-generation of Fi24 where 5p<q<r will be treated in a forthcoming article.

For Fi24-conjugacy classes 3X, qY, rZ, let us refer to Fi24 as (3X,qY,rZ)-generated provided Fi24=x,y, where x3X, yqY, xyrZ. We may now state the main result of our paper.

Theorem.

Let q and r be prime divisors of |Fi24| with 3<q<r. Then Fischer’s largest sporadic simple group Fi24 is (3X,qY,rZ)-generated if and only if the triple (3X,qY,rZ) differs from (3A,5A,7A),(3A,5A,7B),(3A,5A,13A).

2 Preliminaries

Throughout this article, we use the same notation and terminology as can be found in [1, 2, 3, 16, 22, 27, 28, 30]. In particular, for a finite group G with conjugacy classes C1, C2, C3, we denote by ΔG(C1,C2,C3) the corresponding structure constant of G. Observe that ΔG(C1,C2,C3) is nothing more than the cardinality of the set Ω={(x,y)xy=z}, where xC1, yC2 and z is a fixed representative in the conjugacy class C3. It is well known that the value of ΔG(C1,C2,C3) can be computed from the character table of G (e.g., see [25, p.45]) via the formula

ΔG(C1,C2,C3)=|C1||C2||G|i=1mχi(x)χi(y)χi(z)¯[χi(1G)],

where χ1,χ2,,χm are the irreducible complex characters of G, and the bar denotes complex conjugation. We denote by ΔG*(C1,C2,C3) the number of distinct ordered pairs (x,y)Ω such that G=x,y. Clearly, if ΔG*(C1,C2,C3)>0, then G is (l,m,n)-generated, where l,m,n are the respective orders of elements from C1,C2,C3. In this instance, we say that G is (C1,C2,C3)-generated, and we also refer to (C1,C2,C3) as a generating triple for G.

Further, if H is a subgroup of G containing the fixed element zC3 above, we denote by ΣH(C1,C2,C3) the total number of distinct ordered pairs (x,y)Ω such that x,yH. The value of ΣH(C1,C2,C3) is obtained as the sum of all structure constants ΔH(c1,c2,c3), where the ci are conjugacy classes of H that fuse to Ci in G, i.e., ciHCi. The number of pairs (x,y)Ω generating a subgroup H of G will be denoted by ΣH*(C1,C2,C3), and the centralizer of a representative of the conjugacy class C by CG(C). A general conjugacy class of a proper subgroup H of G whose elements are of order n will be denoted by nx, reserving the notation nX for the case where H=G.

We remark that on occasion we shall abbreviate

ΔG(C1,C2,C3),ΔG*(C1,C2,C3),ΣH(C1,C2,C3),ΣH*(C1,C2,C3)

by Δ(G), Δ*(G), Σ(H) and Σ*(H), respectively, when the conjugacy classes C1,C2,C3 are understood from context.

The number of conjugates of a specified subgroup H of G containing a fixed element g is given by π(g), where π=πH is the permutation character corresponding to the action of G on the conjugates of H, i.e., π is the induced character (1H)G (cf. [25]). As the stabilizer of H in this action is clearly NG(H), in many cases, one can more easily compute the value π(g) from the fusion map from NG(H) into G in conjunction with Theorem 2.1 below. We emphasize that this is an especially useful strategy when the decomposition of π into irreducible characters is not known explicitly, or is not readily computable.

Theorem 2.1 (Ganief and Moori [21]).

Let G be a finite group, and let H be a subgroup of G containing a fixed element g such that gcd(o(g),|NG(H):H|)=1. Then the number of conjugates of H containing g is given by

π(g)=i=1m|CG(g)||CNG(H)(gi)|,

where π is the permutation character corresponding to the action of G on the conjugates of H, and g1,g2,,gm are representatives of the NG(H)-conjugacy classes that fuse to the G-class containing g.

Below we provide some very useful techniques for establishing non-generation.

Lemma 2.2 (Woldar [29]).

Let G be a finite group, and let x,yG. Suppose that Δ(G)<|CG(xy)|, where Δ(G)=ΔG(lX,mY,nZ) with xlX, ymY and xynZ. Then CG(x,y) is non-trivial.

Lemma 2.3 (Conder, Wilson and Woldar [10]).

Let G be a finite centerless group, and suppose lX, mY, nZ are G-conjugacy classes for which

Δ*(G)=ΔG*(lX,mY,nZ)<|CG(nZ)|.

Then Δ*(G)=0, and therefore G is not (lX,mY,nZ)-generated.

We list all maximal subgroups of Fi24 in Table 1. In Table 2, we indicate the fusion map from each maximal subgroup M into Fi24, and we calculate the corresponding value of π(z), where π is the permutation character (1M)Fi24 and zM has prime order o(z)7. Many of our computations relied heavily on the use of GAP [31], as well as certain subroutines provided by Ali, Al-Kadhi, Aljouiee and Ibrahim; see, e.g., [4]. As always, the ATLAS [11] served as an invaluable source of information, and we adopt its notation for conjugacy classes, maximal subgroups, etc.

Table 1

The maximal subgroups of Fi24.

GroupOrder
Fi23218.313.52.7.11.13.17.23
2.Fi22:2219.39.52.7.11.13
(3×O8+(3):3):2213.314.52.7.13
O10-(2)220.36.52.7.11.17
37O7(3)29.316.5.7.13
31+10:U5(2):2211.316.5.11
211M24221.33.5.7.11.23
22U6(2):S3218.37.5.7.11
21+12.3U4(3).22221.37.5.7
33.[310].GL3(3)25.316.13
32+4+8.(A5×2A4).226.316.5
(A4×O8+(2).3).2215.37.52.7
He:2 (2 classes)211.33.52.73.17
23+12.(L3(2)×A6)221.33.5.7
26+8.(S3×A8)221.33.5.7
(32:2×G2(3)).228.38.7.13
(A5×A9):229.35.52.7
A6×L2(8):326.33.5.72
7:6×A724.33.5.72
U3(3):2 (2 classes)26.33.7
L2(13):2 (2 classes)23.3.7.13
29:142.7.29
Table 2

Partial fusion maps into Fi24.

Fi23-class3a3b3c3d5a7a11a13a13b17a23a23b
Fi243A3B3C3D5A7A11A13A13A17A23A23B
π(z)21366111
2.Fi22:2-class3a3b3c3d5a7a11a13a
Fi243A3B3C3D5A7A11A13A
π(z)10539
(3×O8+(3):3):2-class3a3b3c3d3e3f3g3h3i3j3k3l
Fi243B3C3A3B3D3C3D3A3D3A3A3B
(3×O8+(3):3):2-class3m3n3o3p3q3r3s3t3u7a13a13b
Fi243C3D3C3D3D3E3E3E3E7A13A13A
π(z)3522
O10-(2)-class3a3b3c3d3e3f5a5b7a11a11b17a17b
Fi243A3B3B3C3C3D5A5A7A11A11A17A17A
π(z)428822
37O7(3)-class3a3b3c3d3e3f3g3h3i3j3k3l
Fi243B3C3A3D3C3D3D3A3B3D3C3B
37O7(3)-class3m3n3o3p3q3r3s3t5a7a13a13b
Fi243C3D3D3A3E3E3E3D5A7B13A13A
π(z)491212
31+10:U5(2):2-class3a3b3c3d3e3f3g3h3i3j3k3l
Fi243B3A3B3C3D3A3B3C3D3B3C3D
31+10:U5(2):2-class3m3n3o3p3q3r3s3t3u3v5a11a
Fi243D3A3D3D3E3E3C3C3D3E5A11A
π(z)4
211M24-class3a3b5a7a7b11a23a23b
Fi243C3E5A7A7A11A23A23B
π(z)210210611
22U6(2):S3-class3a3b3c3d3e3f3g5a7a11a
Fi243A3B3C3B3C3D3E5A7A11A
π(z)1051
21+12.3U4(3).223a3b3c3d3e3f3g5a7a
Fi243C3D3B3A3D3C3E5A7B
π(z)49
(A4×O8+(2).3).2-class3a3b3c/g3d3e3f3h3i3j/k3l/m5a7a
Fi243A3B3C3A3D3A3D3D3E3E5A7A
π(z)35
He:2-class3a3b5a7a7b7c17a
Fi243C3E5A7A7B7B17A
π(z)15221
23+12.(L3(2)×A6)-class3a3b3c3d3e5a5b7a7b
Fi243C3A3E3D3E5A5A7A7A
π(z)14
26+8.(S3×A8)-class3a3b3c3d3e5a7a7b
Fi243A3B3C3C3D5A7A7A
π(z)210210
(32:2×G2(3)).2-class3a3b3c/g3d3e/f3g/h3i/j3k/l3m/n3o/p7a13a
Fi243B3B3D3C3A3D3D3E3E3E7A13A
π(z)701
(A5×A9):2-class3a3b3c3d3e3f3g5a5b5c7a
Fi243A3B3C3A3C3D3D5A5A5A7A
π(z)21
7:6×A7-class3a3b3c3d3e3f3g3h5a7a7b7c7d7e
Fi243A3E3C3D3E3C3D3E5A7B7B7A7A7A
π(z)1414721721721
U3(3):2-class2a2b3ac3b7a
Fi242B2B3D3E7B
π(z)294
L2(13):2-class3a7a7b7c13a
Fi243D7B7B7B13A
vπ(z)44144144118

3 (3,q,r)-Generation of Fi24

The Fischer’s group Fi24 is a sporadic simple group of order

1255205709190661721292800=22131652731113172329.

The group Fi24 was discovered by Bernd Fischer [18] in 1971, resulting from his classification of finite 3-transposition groups with no non-trivial normal solvable subgroups. It is the largest of his sporadic simple groups, being the commutator subgroup of the 3-transposition group Fi24=Aut(Fi24). It has 108 conjugacy classes in total, including two classes of involutions (viz. 2A,2B) and five classes of elements of order 3 (viz. 3A,3B,3C,3D,3E). Linton & Wilson [26] investigated the subgroup structure of Fi24 and classified all maximal subgroups of Fi24 as well as those of its automorphism group Fi24.

We now proceed with a case-by-case analysis of all (3,q,r)-generations of Fi24, where r{7,11,13,17,23,29}.

3.1 The case r=7

Since there are five classes of elements of order 3, a single class of elements of order 5, and two classes of elements of order 7, we must consider 10 distinct triples of conjugacy classes in Fi24.

We begin with the Fi24-classes 7A, which requires a much more delicate treatment than that devoted to the class 7B.

Lemma 3.4.

Let G=Fi24 (so that G=Fi24), and fix z7A. Then CG(z)=z×H with HS7. Identifying H with S7, we have that the 21 transpositions (a,b)H are of G-class 2C, the 105 involutions of type (a,b)(c,d)H are of G-class 2A, and the 105 involutions of type (a,b)(c,d)(e,f)H are of G-class 2D. Finally, the 70 elements of type (a,b,c)H are of G-class 3A.

Proof.

As CG(z)7×A7, we see at once that elements of type (a,b)H and those of type (a,b)(c,d)(e,f)H must lie outside G. Thus elements of each type are either of G-class 2C or 2D. Since (1,2)H centralizes z(3,4,5,6,7)CG(z), we see that w=z(1,2)(3,4,5,6,7) is of order 70 and w35=(1,2). But this can only occur if (1,2)2C.

Note that despite the fact that (a,b)H and (a,b)(c,d)(e,f)H are obviously not conjugate in H, they could be conjugate in G. However, by character computation, we know that z lies in exactly 21 G-conjugates of FFi23 (see Table 2). Thus z lies in exactly 21 G-conjugates of CG(t)=t×F, where t2C. These 21 conjugates correspond to the 21 elements (a,b)2C; hence there can be no other elements in CG(z) of type 2C. Thus elements of type (a,b)(c,d)(e,f)H must be in the G-class 2D.

As elements of the form (a,b)(c,d) are in HA7, they must be in G, and thus they are either of class 2A or 2B. However, nothing in class 2B commutes with z7A; hence (a,b)(c,d)2A. Finally, elements of type (a,b,c) are of G-class 3A because v=z(1,2,3)(4,5,6,7) is of order 84 with v28=(1,2,3). But this can only occur if (1,2,3)3A. (Alternatively, one could argue that the product of two non-commuting involutions of Fi24-type 2C must be of Fi24-type 3A, a known property of the 3-transposition class 2C.) ∎

Lemma 3.5.

With notation as in Lemma 3.4, let S be any set of transpositions in H. Then the subgroup S<H generated by S is isomorphic to one of the following groups: S7, S6, S5, S5×S2, S4, S4×S2, S4×S3, S3, S3×S2, S3×S22, S32, S2, S22, S23. Moreover, the numbers of such subgroups of H that so arise are indicated as follows:

S7S6S5S5×S2S4S4×S2S4×S3
1721213510535
S3S3×S2S3×S22S32S2S22S23
352101057021105105

Proof.

This is an easy counting exercise, which we leave to the reader. ∎

Our next goal is to determine the centralizer CG(S) of each subgroup SHS7, as well as its contribution Σ(CG(S)) to the structure constant Δ(Fi24)=269157 of type (3A,5A,7A). The results are shown in Table 3. Note that if S and T are sets of transpositions in HS7 with ST, then S and T are conjugate in H; hence they are conjugate in G=Fi24.

Table 3

Contributions of CG(S) toward ΔFi24(3A,5A,7A).

SCG(S)Σ(CG(S))
S77:60
S6L2(8):30
S5S97
S5×S22×S77
S4O8+(2):S363
S4×S22×S6(2)7
S4×S3U3(3):20
S3O8+(3):S31680
S3×S22×O7(3)336
S3×S222×2U4(3)336
S32G2(3)0
S22×Fi2333117
S222×2Fi224977
S232×22U6(2)1281

In Table 4, we indicate the number of ways a fixed subgroup S of HS7 of given isomorphism type can be generated by exactly n transpositions. This information is important to us since n is also the precise number of transposition-centralizers whose intersection gives the corresponding group CG(S). (Indeed, CG(S)=sSCG(s).) We shall use this information later on, when we invoke the principle of inclusion-exclusion to prove that Fi24 cannot be (3A,5A,7A)-generated.

Table 4

Number of ways a specified subgroup of H can be generated by a set S of n transpositions (1n11).

S1234567891011
S7000001722768295156555258125331506343140
S600001296366057006165494529971365
S5000125222205120451010
S5×S2000012522220512045101
S40016156100000
S4×S20001615610000
S4×S300004861339100
S303100000000
S3×S200310000000
S3×S2200031000000
S3200096100000
S210000000000
S2201000000000
S2300100000000

The reader will observe that the table stops at n=11. This is because larger values of n fail to contribute to Δ(Fi24). We also remark that if one multiplies each entry in Table 4 by the number of subgroups SH of the indicated isomorphism type, then the resulting column sums will be (21n), 1n11. This provides a valuable check on the accuracy of Table 4.

Proposition 3.6.

The group Fi24 is not (3A,5A,7A)-generated.

Proof.

We proceed by inclusion-exclusion, but first we must lay some groundwork. Note that all computations will proceed in Fi24 rather than in Fi24.

We start by determining the precise number of CG(z)-conjugates of the centralizer CG(t)2×Fi23 where tHCG(z), as well as the contribution to Δ(Fi24) coming from all (3A,5A,7A)-subgroups contained in these conjugates. In subsequent steps, we do this for intersections of two CG(z)-conjugates of CG(t) and then for intersections of three such conjugates and so on, ultimately reaching eleven.

All data used in the following computations may be gleaned from Tables 3 and 4 as well as Lemma 3.5. We will henceforth regard the four rows of Table 4 headed by S7, S6, S4×S3 and S32 as irrelevant since their corresponding centralizers 7:6, L2(8):3, U3(3):2 and G2(3) contribute zero to Δ(Fi24).

One conjugate. There are 21 CG(z)-conjugates of CG(t)2×Fi23 and each contributes 33117 to Δ(Fi24). This gives a total contribution of 21×33117=695457.

Two conjugates. There are 210 intersections of two CG(z)-conjugates of CG(t) and these are of two types: (1) 3×35=105 intersections isomorphic to O8+(3):S3, giving a contribution of 105×1680=176400, and (2) 1×105=105 intersections isomorphic to 2×2Fi22, giving a contribution of 105×4977=522585. Thus the total contribution to Δ(Fi24) coming from intersections of two conjugates is 176400+522585=698985.

Three conjugates. Intersections here are of four types: (1) 16×35=560 intersections isomorphic to O8+(2):S3, giving a contribution of 560×63=35280, (2) 1×35=35 intersections isomorphic to O8+(3):S3, giving a contribution of 35×1680=58800, (3) 3×210=630 intersections isomorphic to 2×O7(3), giving a contribution of 630×336=211680, and (4) 1×105=105 intersections isomorphic to 2×22U6(2), giving a contribution of 105×1281=134505. Thus the total contribution to Δ(Fi24) coming from intersections of three conjugates is 35280+58800+211680+134505=440265.

Four conjugates. Relevant intersections are of five types: (1) 125×21=2625 intersections isomorphic to S9, giving a contribution of 2625×7=18375, (2) 15×35=525 intersections isomorphic to O8+(2):S3, giving a contribution of 525×63=33075, (3) 16×105=1680 intersections isomorphic to 2×S6(2), giving a contribution of 1680×7=11760, (4) 1×210=210 intersections isomorphic to 2×O7(3), giving a contribution of 210×336=70560, (5) 3×105=315 intersections isomorphic to 2×2U4(3), giving a contribution of 315×336=105840. Thus the total contribution to Δ(Fi24) coming from intersections of four conjugates is 18375+33075+11760+70560+105840=239610.

Five conjugates. Relevant intersections are of five types: (1) 222×21=4662 intersections isomorphic to S9, giving a contribution of 4662×7=32634, (2) 125×21=2625 intersections isomorphic to 2×S7, giving a contribution of 2625×7=18375, (3) 6×35=210 intersections isomorphic to O8+(2):S3, giving a contribution of 210×63=13230, (4) 15×105=1575 intersections isomorphic to 2×S6(2), giving a contribution of 1575×7=11025, and (5) 1×105=105 intersections isomorphic to 2×2U4(3), giving a contribution of 105×336=35280. Thus the total contribution to Δ(Fi24) coming from intersections of five conjugates is 32634+18375+13230+11025+35280=110544.

Six conjugates. Relevant intersections are of four types: (1) 205×21=4305 intersections isomorphic to S9, giving a contribution of 4305×7=30135, (2) 222×21=4662 intersections isomorphic to 2×S7, giving a contribution of 4662×7=32634, (3) 1×35=35 intersections isomorphic to O8+(2):S3, giving a contribution of 35×63=2205, and (4) 6×105=630 intersections isomorphic to 2×S6(2), giving a contribution of 630×7=4410. Thus the total contribution to Δ(Fi24) coming from intersections of six conjugates is 30135+32634+2205+4410=69384.

Seven conjugates. Here relevant intersections are of three types: (1) 120×21=2520 intersections isomorphic to S9, giving a contribution of 2520×7=17640, (2) 205×21=4305 intersections isomorphic to 2×S7, giving a contribution of 4305×7=30135, and (3) 1×105=105 intersections isomorphic to 2×S6(2), giving a contribution of 105×7=735. Thus the total contribution to Δ(Fi24) coming from intersections of seven conjugates is 17640+30135+735=48510.

Eight conjugates. There are just two types of relevant intersections in this case: (1) 45×21=945 intersections isomorphic to S9, giving a contribution of 945×7=6615, and (2) 120×21=2520 intersections isomorphic to 2×S7, giving a contribution of 2520×7=17640. Thus the total contribution to Δ(Fi24) coming from intersections of eight conjugates is 6615+17640=24255.

Nine conjugates. In this case, there are again two types of relevant intersections: (1) 10×21=210 intersections isomorphic to S9, giving a contribution of 210×7=1470, and (2) 45×21=945 intersections isomorphic to 2×S7, giving a contribution of 945×7=6615. Thus the total contribution to Δ(Fi24) coming from intersections of nine conjugates is 1470+6615=8085.

Ten conjugates. Once more, there are only two types of relevant intersections: (1) 1×21=21 intersections isomorphic to S9, giving a contribution of 21×7=147, and (2) 10×21=210 intersections isomorphic to 2×S7, giving a contribution of 210×7=1470. Thus the total contribution to Δ(Fi24) coming from intersections of ten conjugates is 147+1470=1617.

Eleven conjugates. There is just one type of relevant intersection in this case, namely 21 intersections isomorphic to 2×S7, giving a contribution of 21×7=147.

We are now prepared to invoke the principle of inclusion-exclusion to account for all (3A,5A,7A)-triples of Fi24 that lie in at least one conjugate of CG(t), tCG(z). This involves adding all contributions to Δ(Fi24) coming from intersections of an odd number of conjugates, from which we subtract all contributions coming from intersections of an even number of conjugates. Specifically, this gives

695457-698985+440265-239610+110544-69384+48510-24255+8085-1617+147=269157,

which is the precise value of Δ(Fi24). We conclude that every (3A,5A,7A)-subgroup of Fi24 must lie in some CG(z)-conjugate of CG(t)Fi23×2, whence Fi24 cannot be (3A,5A,7A)-generated. ∎

Proposition 3.7.

Fi24 is (3B,5A,7A)-generated.

Proof.

Our methodology is identical to that of Proposition 3.6, so we may avoid repeating many of the details. The relevant contributions Σ(CG(S)) to the structure constant ΔFi24(3B,5A,7A)=3004533 are provided in Table 5. Note that we may regard the five rows of Table 4 headed by S7, S6, S5×S2, S4×S3 and S32 as irrelevant since their corresponding centralizers 7:6, L2(8):3, 2×S7, U3(3):2 and G2(3) contribute zero to Δ(Fi24).

Table 5

Contributions of CG(S) toward ΔFi24(3B,5A,7A).

SCG(S)Σ(CG(S))
S77:60
S6L2(8):30
S5S928
S5×S22×S70
S4O8+(2):S3903
S4×S22×S6(2)77
S4×S3U3(3):20
S3O8+(3):S318648
S3×S22×O7(3)1988
S3×S222×2U4(3)56
S32G2(3)0
S22×Fi23285215
S222×2Fi2228469
S232×22U6(2)1071

One conjugate. The 21 conjugates of 2×Fi23 each contribute 285215, yielding a total contribution of 21×285215=5989515.

Two conjugates. The 105 intersections of type O8+(3):S3 (meaning, each intersection is isomorphic to O8+(3):S3) account for 105×18648=1958040, while the 105 intersections of type 2×2Fi22 account for a total contribution of 105×28469=2989245. Thus the total contribution is 4947285.

Three conjugates. Here we get respective contributions of 560×903=505680 (of type O8+(2):S3), 35×18648=652680 (of type O8+(3):S3), 630×1988=1252440 (of type 2×O7(3)) and 105×1071=112455 (of type 2×22U6(2)). The total contribution is therefore 2523255.

Four conjugates. Here we get contributions of 2625×28=73500 (of type S9), 525×903=474075 (of type O8+(2):S3), 1680×77=129360 (of type 2×S6(2)), 210×1988=417480 (of type 2×O7(3)) and 315×56=17640 (of type 2×2U4(3)). Thus the total contribution is 1112055.

Five conjugates. We get contributions of 4662×28=130536 (of type S9), 210×903=189630 (of type O8+(2):S3), 1575×77=121275 (of type 2×S6(2)) and 105×56=5880 (of type 2×2U4(3)). Thus the total contribution here is 447321.

Six conjugates. Here we get contributions of 4305×28=120540 (of type S9), 35×903=31605 (of type O8+(2):S3) and 630×77=48510 (of type 2×S6(2)). This yields a total contribution of 200655.

Seven conjugates. Contributions here are 2520×28=70560 (of type S9) and 105×77=8085 (of type 2×S6(2)), thus yielding a total contribution of 78645.

Eight conjugates. The total contribution is 945×28=26460 (of type S9).

Nine conjugates. The total contribution is 210×28=5880 (of type S9).

Ten conjugates. The total contribution is 21×28=588 (of type S9).

Eleven conjugates. Here there is no contribution since the only possibility for the intersection of 11 conjugates is 2×S7.

Using the principle of inclusion-exclusion, we may now compute the total contribution of the groups CG(S) to Δ(Fi24):

5989515-4947285+2523255-1112055+447321-200655+78645-26460+5880-588=2757573.

As this value is strictly less than the structure constant Δ(Fi24)=3004533, the proof is complete. ∎

Proposition 3.8.

Fi24 is (3X,5A,7A)-generated for all X{C,D,E}.

Proof.

Any maximal subgroup of Fi24 with order divisible by 357 must be isomorphic to one of

Fi23,2.Fi22:2,(3×O8+(3):3):2,O10-(2),37O7(3),211M24,22U6(2):S3,21+12.U4(3).22,(A4×O8+(2).3).2,He:2(2 classes),23+12.(L3(2)×A6),26+8.(S3×A8),(A5×A9):2,A6×L2(8):3or7:6×A7.

Consider first the triple (3C,5A,7A) with structure constant

ΔFi24(3C,5A,7A)=534146403.

Among the maximal subgroups of Fi24 with order divisible by 105, both 37O7(3) and 21+12.3U4(3).22 fail to meet the Fi24-conjugacy class 7A. Moreover, none of 23+12.(L3(2)×A6), A6×L2(8):3, 7:6×A7 contributes to ΔFi24(3C,5A,7A) since

Σ23+12.(L3(2)×A6)(3C,5A,7A)=ΣA6×L2(8):3(3C,5A,7A)=Σ7:6×A7(3C,5A,7A)=0.

For each of the remaining maximal subgroups M of Fi24, we obtain their respective contributions to the structure constant ΔFi24(3C,5A,7A) from their corresponding character tables and the fusion maps given in Table 2. Specifically, we have

ΣFi23(3C,5A,7A)=15934191,
Σ2.Fi22:2(3C,5A,7A)=742455,
Σ(3×O8+(3):3):2(3C,5A,7A)=219408,
ΣO10-(2)(3C,5A,7A)=302652,
Σ211M24(3C,5A,7A)=83328,
Σ22U6(2):S3(3C,5A,7A)=59787,
Σ(A4×O8+(2).3).2(3C,5A,7A)=2709,
ΣHe:2(3C,5A,7A)=1470,
Σ26+8.(S3×A8)(3C,5A,7A)=6720,
Σ(A5×A9):2(3C,5A,7A)=98.

Table 2 also provides us with the number πM(z) of conjugates of M containing a fixed element z of Fi24-type 7A. For convenience, we replicate that portion of Table 2 relevant to the Fi24-class 7A as follows:

MFi232.Fi22:2(3×O8+(3):3):2O10-(2)211M2422U6(2):S3
πM(z)211053542210105
M(A4×O8+(2).3).2He:2 (2 classes)26+8.(S3×A8)(A5×A9):2
πM(z)351521021

From this information, we obtain

ΔFi24*(3C,5A,7A)ΔFi24(3C,5A,7A)-21Σ(Fi23)-105Σ(2.Fi22:2)-35Σ((3×O8+(3):3):2)-42Σ(O10-(2))-210Σ(211M24)-105Σ(22U6(2):S3)-35Σ((A4×O8+(2).3).2)-30Σ(He:2)-210Σ(26+8.(S3×A8))-21Σ((A5×A9):2)=534146403-21(15934191)-105(742455)-35(219408)-42(302652)-210(83328)-105(59787)-35(2709)-30(1470)-210(6720)-21(98)>0,

proving that (3C,5A,7A) is a generating triple of Fi24.

The argument is similar for the triples (3D,5A,7A) and (3E,5A,7A). We calculate the relevant structure constants to be ΔFi24(3D,5A,7A)=11518064460 and ΔFi24(3E,5A,7A)=40223327760. The inequalities below reflect only those maximal subgroups of Fi24 that contribute to these structure constants, as well as the number of conjugates in which a fixed element of type 7A is contained. As before, we rely heavily on fusion maps (see Table 2) for each relevant subgroup of Fi24.

ΔFi24*(3D,5A,7A)ΔFi24(3D,5A,7A)-21Σ(Fi23)-105Σ(2.Fi22:2)-35Σ((3×O8+(3):3):2)-42Σ(O10-(2))=11518064460-21(167942880)-105(2592324)-35(660240)-42(1155000)>0
ΔFi24*(3E,5A,7A)ΔFi24(3E,5A,7A)-210Σ(211M24)-30Σ(He:2)=40223327760-210(190848)-30(31752)>0.

Thus generation of Fi24 by each of the triples (3D,5A,7A) and (3E,5A,7A) is also established. ∎

Proposition 3.9.

Fi24 is not (3A,5A,7B)-generated.

Proof.

The result follows immediately from Lemma 2.3 since

ΔFi24(3A,5A,7B)=1470

and |CFi24(z)|=2058 for z7B. ∎

Proposition 3.10.

Fi24 is (3X,5A,7B)-generated for all X{B,C,D,E}.

Proof.

The proof may divided into two cases:

Case 1. X{B,D}: Here

ΔFi24(3B,5A,7B)=963830,
ΔFi24(3D,5A,7B)=8832037340.

The only maximal subgroups of Fi24 that meets all required conjugacy classes are (in both cases) 37O7(3) and 21+12.3U4(3).22. From Table 2, it follows that

ΔFi24*(3B,5A,7B)ΔFi24(3B,5A,7B)-49Σ(37O7(3))-49Σ(21+12.U4(3).22)=963830-49(854)-49(182)>0,
ΔFi24*(3D,5A,7B)ΔFi24(3D,5A,7B)-49Σ(37O7(3))-49Σ(21+12.U4(3).22)=8832037340-49(226436)-49(18760)>0.

Thus both (3B,5A,7B) and (3D,5A,7B) are generating triples for Fi24.

Case 2. X{C,E}: Here

ΔFi24(3C,5A,7B)=62154344,
ΔFi24(3E,5A,7B)=34226708544.

In each case, the relevant maximal subgroups, their respective number of conjugates, and the contributions coming from these conjugates are all indicated in the computations below (cf. Table 2; further note that Σ7:6×A7(3C,5A,7B)=0):

ΔFi24*(3C,5A,7B)ΔFi24(3C,5A,7B)-49Σ37O7(3)(3C,5A,7B)-49Σ21+12.3U4(3).22(3C,5A,7B)-44ΣHe:2(3C,5A,7B)=62154344-49(4004)-49(5376)-44(343)>0,
ΔFi24*(3E,5A,7B)ΔFi24(3E,5A,7B)-49Σ37O7(3)(3E,5A,7B)-49Σ21+12.3U4(3).22(3E,5A,7B)-44ΣHe:2(3E,5A,7B)-14Σ7:6×A7(3E,5A,7B)=34226708544-49(249480)-49(64512)-44(45962)-14(56)>0.

Thus both (3C,5A,7B) and (3E,5A,7B) are generating triples for Fi24. ∎

3.2 The case r=11

Here we need only consider maximal subgroups of Fi24 with order divisible by 11, i.e., Fi23, 2.Fi22:2, 211.M24, O10-(2), 31+10:U5(2):2, 22.U6(2):S3.

3.2.1 The subcase q=5

Proposition 3.11.

Fi24 is (3X,5A,11A)-generated for all X{A,B,C,D,E}.

Proof.

It is evident from Table 2 that among all maximal subgroups of Fi24 of order divisible by 11, the group 211M24 fails to meet the Fi24-classes 3A, 3B, 3D. Similarly, each of Fi23, 2.Fi22:2, 31+10:U5(2):2 fails to meet the Fi24-class 3E.

Of the remaining maximal subgroups, we see from Table 2 that a fixed element of Fi24-type 11A is contained in 3, 3, 8, 4, 4, 1 conjugates of Fi23, 2.Fi22:2, O10-(2), 31+10:U5(2):2, 211M24, 22U6(2):S3, respectively. Thus we compute

ΔFi24*(3A,5A,11A)Δ(Fi24)-3Σ(Fi23)-3Σ(2.Fi22:2)-8Σ(O10-(2))-4Σ(31+10:U5(2):2)-Σ(22U6(2):S3)=116413-3(22407)-3(5225)-8(33)-4(2563)-1419>0,
ΔFi24*(3B,5A,11A)Δ(Fi24)-3Σ(Fi23)-3Σ(2.Fi22:2)-8Σ(O10-(2))-4Σ(31+10:U5(2):2)-Σ(22U6(2):S3)=494241-3(94611)-3(16137)-8(946)-4(4209)-1683>0,
ΔFi24*(3C,5A,11A)Δ(Fi24)-3Σ(Fi23)-3Σ(2.Fi22:2)-8Σ(O10-(2))-4Σ(31+10:U5(2):2)-6Σ(211M24)-Σ(22U6(2):S3)=193111215-3(7306101)-3(506055)-8(227975)-4(104115)-6(50160)-40821>0,
ΔFi24*(3D,5A,11A)Δ(Fi24)-3Σ(Fi23)-3Σ(2.Fi22:2)-8Σ(O10-(2))-4Σ(31+10:U5(2):2)-Σ(22U6(2):S3)=9594861914-3(169063092)-3(2729166)-8(1219416)-4(391556)-0>0,
ΔFi24*(3E,5A,11A)Δ(Fi24)-4Σ(31+10:U5(2):2)-6Σ(211M24)-Σ(22U6(2):S3)=39433451640-4(1138698)-6(234784)-0>0.

Hence all claimed generations are confirmed. ∎

3.2.2 The subcase q=7

Proposition 3.12.

Fi24 is (3X,7Y,11A)-generated for all X{A,B,C,D,E} and Y{A,B}.

Proof.

First we consider the case Y=A. From Table 1, we see that the only maximal subgroups that could potentially contribute to the relevant structure constants of Fi24 are Fi23, 2.Fi22:2, O10-(2), 31+10:U5(2):2, 211M24, 22U6(2):S3. However, from the fusion maps in Table 2, we observe that the Fi24-classes 3A, 3B, 3D fail to meet 211M24, while 3E fails to meet each of Fi23, 2.Fi22:2, O10-(2). We compute

ΔFi24*(3A,7A,11A)Δ(Fi24)-3Σ(Fi23)-3Σ(2.Fi22:2)-8Σ(O10-(2))-Σ(22U6(2):S3)=2790051-3(425161)-3(49247)-8(0)-4389>0,
ΔFi24*(3B,7A,11A)Δ(Fi24)-3Σ(Fi23)-3Σ(2.Fi22:2)-8Σ(O10-(2))-Σ(22U6(2):S3)=35104443-3(3501355)-3(285615)-8(2574)-7095>0,
ΔFi24*(3C,7A,11A)Δ(Fi24)-3Σ(Fi23)-3Σ(2.Fi22:2)-8Σ(O10-(2))-6Σ(211M24)-Σ(22U6(2):S3)=6438342537-3(166717683)-3(6014745)-8(369468)-6(247808)-168795>0,
ΔFi24*(3D,7A,11A)Δ(Fi24)-3Σ(Fi23)-3Σ(2.Fi22:2)-8Σ(O10-(2))-Σ(22U6(2):S3)=477391185414-3(5095787004)-3(42283890)-8(2342835)-0>0,
ΔFi24*(3E,7A,11A)Δ(Fi24)-6Σ(211M24)-Σ(22U6(2):S3)=1893954555240-6(1250304)-0>0.

This completes the proof of the proposition for the case Y=A.

The case Y=B is much simpler. This is because the Fi24-class 7B fails to meet every maximal subgroup of Fi24 with order divisible by 11. As

ΔFi24*(3X,7B,11A)>0

for all X{A,B,C,D,E}, all asserted generations occur. ∎

3.3 The case r=13

We need only consider maximal subgroups of Fi24 with order divisible by 13, i.e.,

Fi23,2.Fi22:2,(3×O8+(3):3):2,37O7(3),33.[310].GL3(3),(32:2×G2(3)).2,L2(13):2(2 classes).

However, we may eliminate 33.[310].GL3(3) from consideration since its order is divisible only by the primes 2, 3 and 13. We provide Table 6 below as an additional aid to the reader.

Table 6

Structure constants and contributions from maximal subgroups (r=13).

qY(3A,qY,13A)(3B,qY,13A)(3C,qY,13A)(3D,qY,13A)(3E,qY,13A)
ΔFi245A456301565655141679395980087390135212760388
7A2411370585018076413416191365484781204201838861745084
7B1353830424990217242649368372398299063266015960483244368
11A227135844433623949268642138869262529358471632248339382279768
ΣFi235A114661974316290739169703937
7A3599705157763173434755109914610680
11A673764064646400262289664098122752000
Σ2Fi22:25A2158244273925353090321
7A369983544195794191285717348
11A149760116438420966400167731200
Σ(3×O8+(3):3):25A1404179401586526879600
7A25272372736346226460528384
Σ37O7(3)5A2607282132258024210600
7B13260430562714401927068018195840
Σ(32:2×G2(3)).27A01066397835280
ΣL2(13):27B78

3.3.1 The subcase q=5

Proposition 3.13.

Fi24 is not (3A,5A,13A)-generated.

Proof.

We compute Δ(Fi24)=45630. A fixed z13A is contained in 6 conjugates of MFi23, in 9 conjugates of A2Fi22.2, and in 2 conjugates of H(3×O8+(3).3).2. Also z is contained in 12 conjugates of isomorphism type 37.O7(3) but we shall not make direct use of this fact. These are the only maximal subgroups of Fi24 that can contribute to Δ(Fi24) for the triple (3A,5A,13A).

To investigate potential (3A,5A,13A)-generation of Fi24, we apply the principle of inclusion-exclusion. As usual, we start by computing the contribution from each of its maximal subgroups. From Table 2, we observe that contributions are coming from 2.Fi22 and Fi23.

We first claim that Σ*(2.Fi22)=1846. We easily compute Σ(2.Fi22)=2158 from its character table. The only maximal subgroups of 2.Fi22 that can contribute to Σ(2.Fi22) are the two non-conjugate classes of 2×O7(3). A fixed element z of Fi24-type 13A is easily shown to lie in exactly one conjugate O, O from each class. We claim that Σ(OO)=0. Indeed, the only remaining possibility is that OO contains a subgroup LL4(3). But this would necessarily fuse the two conjugacy classes of 2×L4(3) subgroups in 2.Fi22, a contradiction. Thus Σ(OO)=0, which implies that

Σ*(2.Fi22)=Σ(2.Fi22)-Σ(O)-Σ(O)=2158-2(156)=1846.

We next claim that Σ*(Fi23)4368. First observe that a fixed z of Fi24-type 13A is contained in three conjugates of F2.Fi22 in Fi23. Also z is contained in a unique conjugate of each of HO8+(3).S3 and KS3×O7(3) in Fi23. Note that these are the only maximal subgroups of Fi23 that can contribute to Δ(Fi24) for the triple (3A,5A,13A). We compute Σ(Fi23)=11466 from its character table.

Clearly, Δ*(A)=0 as A has abelian quotient and 3,5,13 are pairwise co-prime. However, each of the 9 conjugates of A contains a unique F2.Fi22. Let H, Hg be the two conjugates of H that contain z. A glance at the list of maximal subgroups of O8+(3) reveals that there are only two possibilities that can lead to Σ(HHg)>0. Specifically, these are HHg>K where K is a subgroup of either K1O7(3) or K236.L4(3). As Σ(K1)=156 and Σ(K2)=260, the worst case scenario is HHg=K2, whereby the total contribution to Δ(Fi24) is at least

Σ(H)+Σ(Hg)-Σ(K2)=2(1404)-260=2548.

But we now see that

Δ*(Fi24)Δ(Fi24)-6Σ*(M)-9Σ*(F)-2548=260.

As |CFi24(z)|=468>260, we conclude from Lemma 2.3 that (3A,5A,13A)-generation of Fi24 is not possible. ∎

Proposition 3.14.

Fi24 is (3X,5A,13A)-generated for all X{B,C,D,E}.

Proof.

The maximal subgroups of Fi24 of order divisible by 3513 are

Fi23,2.Fi22:2,(3×O8+(3):3):2,37O7(3).

However, each of Fi23, 2.Fi22:2, (3×O8+(3):3):2 fails to meet the Fi24-class 3E. Further, a fixed element of Fi24-type 13A is contained in six conjugates of Fi23, nine conjugates of 2.Fi22:2, two conjugates of (3×O8+(3):3):2 and twelve conjugates of 37O7(3). Hence, from Tables 2 and 6, we obtain

ΔFi24*(3B,5A,13A)Δ(Fi24)-6Σ(Fi23)-9Σ(2.Fi22:2)-2Σ((3×O8+(3).3).2)-12Σ(37O7(3))=1565655-6(197431)-9(24427)-2(17940)-12(728)>0,
ΔFi24*(3C,5A,13A)Δ(Fi24)-6Σ(Fi23)-9Σ(2.Fi22:2)-2Σ((3×O8+(3).3).2)-12Σ(37O7(3))=141679395-6(6290739)-9(392535)-2(158652)-12(2132)>0,
ΔFi24*(3D,5A,13A)Δ(Fi24)-6Σ(Fi23)-9Σ(2.Fi22:2)-2Σ((3×O8+(3).3).2)-12Σ(37O7(3))=9800873901-6(169703937)-9(3090321)-2(687960)-12(258024)>0,
ΔFi24*(3E,5A,13A)Δ(Fi24)-2Σ((3×O8+(3).3).2)-12Σ(37O7(3))=35212760388-2(0)-12(210600)>0.

Thus Fi24 is (3X,5A,13A)-generated for all X{B,C,D,E} as claimed. ∎

3.3.2 The subcase q=7

Proposition 3.15.

Fi24 is (3A,7A,13A)-generated.

Proof.

We consider the irreducible 3774-dimensional representation of Fi24 over GF(2). Here it is known that Fi24 is generated by elements a2A, b3E with product ab of order 29. Set c=(ab)6b, d=((ab)3b(ab)5b)5, x=c20, y=d6. Then, via GAP, we obtain y7A, xy13A. Moreover, GAP detects elements in y,xy of respective orders 17, 23, 29. As Fi24 has no proper subgroups divisible by 172329, we have Fi24=y,xy=x,y as claimed. ∎

Proposition 3.16.

Fi24 is (3X,7A,13A)-generated for all X{B,C,D}.

Proof.

The only maximal subgroups that can potentially contribute to the relevant structure constants are Fi23, 2.Fi22:2, (3×O8+(3):3):2, (32:2×G2(3)).2. All structure constants and their respective contributions coming from maximal subgroups are indicated in the computations below (cf. Table 6):

ΔFi24*(3B,7A,13A)Δ(Fi24)-6Σ(Fi23)-9Σ(2.Fi22:2)-2Σ((3×O8+(3).3).2)-Σ((32:2×G2(3)).2)=58501807-6(5157763)-9(351944)-2(372736)-1066>0,
ΔFi24*(3C,7A,13A)Δ(Fi24)-6Σ(Fi23)-9Σ(2.Fi22:2)-2Σ((3×O8+(3).3).2)-Σ((32:2×G2(3)).2)=6413416191-6(173434755)-9(5794191)-2(3462264)-3978>0,
ΔFi24*(3D,7A,13A)Δ(Fi24)-6Σ(Fi23)-9Σ(2.Fi22:2)-2Σ((3×O8+(3).3).2)-Σ((32:2×G2(3)).2)=36548478120420-21(109914610680)-105(285717348)-35(60528384)-70(3528)>0.

Thus generation of each asserted type is established. ∎

Proposition 3.17.

Fi24 is (3E,7A,13A)-generated.

Proof.

Among all maximal subgroups, only (3×O8+(3):3):2 and (32:2×G2(3)).2 meet all relevant Fi24-classes. The result now follows since both maximal subgroups have zero structure constant while ΔFi24(3E,7A,13A)=1838861745084. ∎

Proposition 3.18.

Fi24 is (3X,7B,13A)-generated for all X{A,B,C,E}.

Proof.

The only maximal subgroup meeting each of the Fi24-classes 3A, 7B, 13A is 37O7(3), which in fact meets each of 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E as well. (However, L2(13):2 also meets the class 3D, which is why we postpone its treatment to Proposition 3.19.)

As a fixed element of type 13A is contained in twelve conjugates of 37O7(3), we conclude from Table 6 that

ΔFi24*(3X,7B,13A)Δ(Fi24)-12Σ(37O7(3))>0,

which establishes (3X,7B,13A)-generation of Fi24 for all X{A,B,C,E}. ∎

Proposition 3.19.

Fi24 is (3D,7B,13A)-generated.

Proof.

The only maximal subgroups meeting each of the Fi24-classes 3A,7B,13A are 37O7(3) and L2(13):2. Also a fixed element of Fi24-type 13A is contained in twelve conjugates of 37O7(3) and eighteen conjugates of each L2(13):2. Thus, by Table 6, we obtain

ΔFi24*(3D,7B,13A)Δ(Fi24)-12Σ(37O7(3))-36Σ(L2(13):2)=3982990632660-12(19270680)-36(78)>0,

thus establishing (3D,7B,13A)-generation of Fi24. ∎

3.3.3 The subcase q=11

Proposition 3.20.

Fi24 is (3X,11A,13A)-generated, for all X{A,B,C,D,E}.

Proof.

Among the maximal subgroups of order divisible by 13, only Fi23 and 2.Fi22:2 meet the Fi24-class 11A. Thus, by Table 6, we compute

ΔFi24*(3X,11A,13A)Δ(Fi24)-6Σ(Fi23)-9Σ(2.Fi22:2)>0

for all X{A,B,C,D,E} as desired. ∎

3.4 The case r=17

The only maximal subgroups of Fi24 with order divisible by 17 are Fi23, O10-(2), He:2 (two classes). We provide Table 7 for all relevant data.

Table 7

Structure constants and contributions from maximal subgroups (r=17).

qY(3A,qY,17A)(3B,qY,17A)(3C,qY,17A)(3D,qY,17A)(3E,qY,17A)
ΔFi245A46410468367115753680912641603437362361524
7A18155492799172452237922494835110861728001876119288720
7B1290524425604142041858734500398126474460015913801728000
11A231581735381776230168524265218562214852154350249976129772300
13A120356192221258668637550426655635047054554732140380759225652
ΣFi235A12920728454820180168246246
7A3661292698342133887699252935207280
11A708007555165663252878843798199866376
13A7620522641788082773913154110986504164
ΣO10-(2)5A5114621753041195236
7A1532890382976126172200
11A289073780974848064991850
ΣHe:25A207426690
7A78213498
7B11101171020

3.4.1 The subcase q=5

Proposition 3.21.

Fi24 is (3C,5A,17A)-generated.

Proof.

All maximal subgroups of order divisible by 17 meet both the Fi24-classes 3C and 5A. From Tables 2 and 7, we compute

ΔFi24*(3C,5A,17A)ΔFi24(3C,5A,17A)-ΣFi23(3C,5A,17A)-2ΣO10-(2)(3C,5A,17A)-2ΣHe:2(3C,5A,17A)=115753680-4820180-2(175304)-2(2074)>0.

This establishes that Fi24 is (3C,5A,17A)-generated as claimed. ∎

Proposition 3.22.

Fi24 is (3E,5A,17A)-generated.

Proof.

Only the two classes of He:2 meet both 3E and 5A. Thus, from Tables 2 and 7, we obtain

ΔFi24*(3E,5A,17A)ΔFi24(3E,5A,17A)-2ΣHe:2(3C,5A,17A)=37362361524-2(26690)>0,

proving (3E,5A,17A)-generation as claimed. ∎

Proposition 3.23.

Fi24 is (3X,5A,17A)-generated for all X{A,B,D}.

Proof.

The only maximal subgroups of order divisible by 17 that meet both 5A and 3X for each X{A,B,D} are Fi23 and O10-(2). Once more, consulting Tables 2 and 7, we obtain

ΔFi24*(3A,5A,17A)ΔFi24(3A,5A,17A)-ΣFi23(3A,5A,17A)-2ΣO10-(2)(3C,5A,17A)=46410-12920-2(51)>0,
ΔFi24*(3B,5A,17A)ΔFi24(3B,5A,17A)-ΣFi23(3B,5A,17A)-2ΣO10-(2)(3B,5A,17A)=468367-72845-2(1462)>0,
ΔFi24*(3D,5A,17A)ΔFi24(3D,5A,17A)-ΣFi23(3D,5A,17A)-2ΣO10-(2)(3D,5A,17A)=9126416034-168246246-2(1995236)>0,

thus establishing generation of all types claimed. ∎

3.4.2 The subcase q=7

Proposition 3.24.

Fi24 is (3C,7A,17A)-generated.

Proof.

Each of Fi23, O10-(2), He:2 (two classes) meets the Fi24-class 3C as well as 7A. From Tables 2 and 7, we obtain

ΔFi24*(3C,7A,17A)ΔFi24(3C,7A,17A)-ΣFi23(3C,7A,17A)-2ΣO10-(2)(3C,7A,17A)-2ΣHe:2(3C,7A,17A)=5223792249-133887699-2(382976)-2(782)>0,

which establishes that Fi24 is (3C,7A,17A)-generated as claimed. ∎

Proposition 3.25.

Fi24 is (3E,7A,17A)-generated.

Proof.

Among all maximal subgroups of Fi24 divisible by 17, only the two classes of He:2 meet the Fi24-classes 3E, 7A. We compute (cf. Tables 2 and 7)

ΔFi24*(3E,7A,17A)ΔFi24(3E,7A,17A)-2ΣHe:2(3E,7A,17A)=1876119288720-2(13498)>0,

from which the result follows. ∎

Proposition 3.26.

Fi24 is (3X,7A,17A)-generated for all X{A,B,D}.

Proof.

Since both classes of He:2 fail to meet 3C, 3E we need only consider the maximal subgroups Fi23 and O10-(2). The relevant computations now follow from Tables 2 and 7:

ΔFi24*(3A,7A,17A)ΔFi24(3A,7A,17A)-ΣFi23(3A,7A,17A)-2ΣO10-(2)(3A,7A,17A)=1815549-366129-2(153)>0,
ΔFi24*(3B,7A,17A)ΔFi24(3B,7A,17A)-ΣFi23(3B,7A,17A)-2ΣO10-(2)(3B,7A,17A)=27991724-2698342-2(2890)>0,
ΔFi24*(3D,7A,17A)ΔFi24(3D,7A,17A)-ΣFi23(3D,7A,17A)-2ΣO10-(2)(3D,7A,17A)=483511086172800-252935207280-2(126172200)>0.

This establishes (3X,7A,17A)-generation of Fi24 for all X{A,B,D}. ∎

Proposition 3.27.

Fi24 is (3X,7B,17A)-generated for all X{A,B,C,D,E}.

Proof.

The only maximal subgroups meeting the Fi24-class 7B are the two classes of He:2. However, both classes of He:2 meet only 3C, 3E. From Tables 2 and 7, we compute

ΔFi24*(3C,7B,17A)ΔFi24(3C,7B,17A)-2ΣHe:2(3C,7B,17A)=41858734500-2(11101)>0,
ΔFi24*(3E,7B,17A)ΔFi24(3E,7B,17A)-2ΣHe:2(3E,7B,17A)=15913801728000-2(171020)>0.

As ΔFi24(3X,7B,17A)>0 for X{A,B,D}, the result follows. ∎

3.4.3 The subcase q=11

Proposition 3.28.

Fi24 is (3X,11A,17A)-generated for all X{A,B,C,D,E}.

Proof.

The only maximal subgroups of Fi24 with order divisible by 1117 are Fi23 and O10-(2). Since neither group meets the Fi24-class 3E, generation of Fi24 by the triple (3E,11A,17A) is readily established.

For the remaining Fi24-classes 3A3D, we have (cf. Tables 2 and 7):

ΔFi24*(3A,11A,17A)ΔFi24(3A,11A,17A)-ΣFi23(3A,11A,17A)-2ΣO10-(2)(3A,11A,17A)=231581735-7080075-2(2890)>0,
ΔFi24*(3B,11A,17A)ΔFi24(3B,11A,17A)-ΣFi23(3B,11A,17A)-2ΣO10-(2)(3B,11A,17A)=3817762301-55165663-2(73780)>0,
ΔFi24*(3C,11A,17A)ΔFi24(3C,11A,17A)-ΣFi23(3C,11A,17A)-2ΣO10-(2)(3C,11A,17A)=685242652185-2528788437-2(9748480)>0,
ΔFi24*(3D,11A,17A)ΔFi24(3D,11A,17A)-ΣFi23(3D,11A,17A)-2ΣO10-(2)(3D,11A,17A)=62214852154350-98199866376-2(64991850)>0.

Thus (3X,11A,17A) is a generating triple for Fi24 for every X{A,B,C,D,E}. ∎

3.4.4 The subcase q=13

Proposition 3.29.

Fi24 is (3X,13A,17A)-generated for all X{A,B,C,D,E}.

Proof.

Only Fi23 has order divisible by 1317. As this group fails to meet the Fi24-class 3E, we immediately establish (3E,13A,17A)-generation of Fi24. Verification of (3X,13A,17A)-generation in all remaining cases follows from the computations below (again, with reference to Tables 2 and 7).

ΔFi24*(3A,13A,17A)ΔFi24(3A,13A,17A)-ΣFi23(3A,13A,17A)=120356192-7620522>0,
ΔFi24*(3B,13A,17A)ΔFi24(3B,13A,17A)-ΣFi23(3B,13A,17A)=2212586686-64178808>0,
ΔFi24*(3C,13A,17A)ΔFi24(3C,13A,17A)-ΣFi23(3C,13A,17A)=375504266556-2773913154>0,
ΔFi24*(3D,13A,17A)ΔFi24(3D,13A,17A)-ΣFi23(3D,13A,17A)=35047054554732-110986504164>0.

3.5 The case r=23

The group Fi24 has two conjugacy classes of elements of order 23, viz. 23A, 23B. However, as these classes are algebraically conjugate, it suffices to restrict attention to the Fi24-class 23A.

The only maximal subgroups of Fi24 with order divisible by 23 are Fi23 and 211M24. We further observe (see Table 2) that the Fi24-classes 3A,3B,3D fail to meet 211M24 while 3E fails to meet Fi23. Thus 3C is the only Fi24-class for which both groups must be considered as potentially contributing to the relevant structure constant Δ(Fi24).

Table 8

Structure constants and contributions from maximal subgroups (r=23).

qY(3A,qY,23A)(3B,qY,23A)(3C,qY,23A)(3D,qY,23A)(3E,qY,23A)
ΔFi245A2881956308696122865903853758536204088860
7A16129442940391349857102993565716408046801862232689916
7B1367690425158269442694777134398495032425015961650138720
11A213253884392213664066566867904062128719014400248856672470400
13A120235950221397678037564064825435045491125672140388376674852
17A12244611422251048451651687044887144824123683773681932300135930348
ΣFi235A10005883664102119169800651
7A3392502884407127079577187529194440
11A675602056929600245935872098374348800
13A7620522642266262774682648110986273818
17A130732381098625686387671826254838301956
Σ211M245A27232259072
7A1722241577984
11A6830084898816

3.5.1 The subcase q=5

Proposition 3.30.

Fi24 is (3X,5A,23A)-generated for all X{A,B,C,D,E}.

Proof.

Below we provide all relevant computations that establish the desired generations (cf. Tables 2 and 8):

ΔFi24*(3A,5A,23Z)ΔFi24(3A,5A,23Z)-ΣFi23(3A,5A,23Z)=28819-10005>0,
ΔFi24*(3B,5A,23Z)ΔFi24(3B,5A,23Z)-ΣFi23(3B,5A,23Z)=563086-88366>0,
ΔFi24*(3C,5A,23Z)ΔFi24(3C,5A,23Z)-ΣFi23(3C,5A,23Z)-Σ211M24(3C,5A,23Z)=96122865-4102119-27232>0,
ΔFi24*(3D,5A,23Z)ΔFi24(3D,5A,23Z)-ΣFi23(3D,5A,23Z)=9038537585-169800651>0,
ΔFi24*(3E,5A,23Z)ΔFi24(3E,5A,23Z)-Σ211M24(3E,5A,23Z)=36204088860-259072>0.

3.5.2 The subcase q=7

Proposition 3.31.

Fi24 is (3X,7Y,23A)-generated for all X{A,B,C,D,E} and Y{A,B}.

Proof.

We may immediately dispense of the case Y=B since no maximal subgroup of order divisible by 23 meets the Fi24-class 7B. For the class 7A, we provide below all relevant computations that ensure the desired generations (see Tables 2 and 8):

ΔFi24*(3A,7A,23A)ΔFi24(3A,7A,23A)-ΣFi23(3A,7A,23A)=1612944-339250>0,
ΔFi24*(3B,7A,23A)ΔFi24(3B,7A,23A)-ΣFi23(3B,7A,23A)=29403913-2884407>0,
ΔFi24*(3C,7A,23A)ΔFi24(3C,7A,23A)-ΣFi23(3C,7A,23A)-Σ211M24(3C,7A,23Z)=4985710299-127079577-172224>0,
ΔFi24*(3D,7A,23A)ΔFi24(3D,7A,23A)-ΣFi23(3D,7A,23A)=356571640804680-187529194440>0,
ΔFi24*(3E,7A,23A)ΔFi24(3E,7A,23A)-Σ211M24(3E,7A,23A)=1862232689916-1577984>0.

3.5.3 The subcase q=11

Proposition 3.32.

Fi24 is (3X,11A,23A)-generated for all X{A,B,C,D,E}.

Proof.

Once again, we direct the reader’s attention to Tables 2 and 8. All asserted generations are verified by the following computations:

ΔFi24*(3A,11A,23A)ΔFi24(3A,11A,23A)-ΣFi23(3A,11A,23A)=213253884-6756020>0,
ΔFi24*(3B,11A,23A)ΔFi24(3B,11A,23A)-ΣFi23(3B,11A,23A)=3922136640-56929600>0,
ΔFi24*(3C,11A,23A)ΔFi24(3C,11A,23A)-ΣFi23(3C,11A,23A)-Σ211M24(3C,11A,23Z)=665668679040-2459358720-683008>0,
ΔFi24*(3D,11A,23A)ΔFi24(3D,11A,23A)-ΣFi23(3D,11A,23A)=62128719014400-98374348800>0,
ΔFi24*(3E,11A,23A)ΔFi24(3E,11A,23A)-Σ211M24(3E,11A,23A)=248856672470400-4898816>0.

3.5.4 The subcase q=13

Proposition 3.33.

Fi24 is (3X,13A,23A)-generated for all X{A,B,C,D,E}.

Proof.

Here Fi23 is the only maximal subgroup of Fi24 that we need to consider. As Fi23 fails to meet the class 3E, and as ΔFi24(3E,13A,23A)>0, we have that Fi24 is (3E,13A,23A)-generated. For the remaining cases 3A3D, we provide the required computations below:

ΔFi24*(3A,13A,23A)ΔFi24(3A,13A,23A)-ΣFi23(3A,13A,23A)=120235950-7620522>0,
ΔFi24*(3B,13A,23A)ΔFi24(3B,13A,23A)-ΣFi23(3B,13A,23A)=2213976780-64226626>0,
ΔFi24*(3C,13A,23A)ΔFi24(3C,13A,23A)-ΣFi23(3C,13A,23A)=375640648254-2774682648>0,
ΔFi24*(3D,13A,23A)ΔFi24(3D,13A,23A)-ΣFi23(3D,13A,23A)=35045491125672-110986273818>0.

3.5.5 The subcase q=17

Proposition 3.34.

Fi24 is (3X,17A,23A)-generated for all X{A,B,C,D,E}.

Proof.

The only maximal subgroup with order divisible by 1723 is Fi23. As already observed, Fi24 fails to meet the class 3E; however it meets all other classes of elements of order 3. The computations below establish generations of every type claimed:

ΔFi24*(3A,17A,23A)ΔFi24(3A,17A,23A)-ΣFi23(3A,17A,23A)=1224461142-13073238>0,
ΔFi24*(3B,17A,23A)ΔFi24(3B,17A,23A)-ΣFi23(3B,17A,23A)=22510484516-109862568>0,
ΔFi24*(3C,17A,23A)ΔFi24(3C,17A,23A)-ΣFi23(3C,17A,23A)=5168704488714-6387671826>0,
ΔFi24*(3D,17A,23A)ΔFi24(3D,17A,23A)-ΣFi23(3D,17A,23A)=482412368377368-1254838301956>0.

3.6 The case r=29

The only maximal subgroup of order divisible by 29 is 29:14, i.e., the normalizer of a Sylow 29-subgroup in Fi24. As 3 does not divide this order, we trivially have the following:

Proposition 3.35.

Fi24 is (3X,qY,29Z)-generated for all X{A,B,C,D,E}, qY{5A,7A,7B,11A,13A,17A,23A,23B}, and Z{A,B}.

Proof.

One need only confirm that Δ(Fi24)>0 for each indicated triple. ∎

The proof of our main result now follows from Propositions 3.63.35.


Communicated by Timothy C. Burness


Award Identifier / Grant number: 13-MAT264-08

Funding statement: This work was funded by the National Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation (MAARIFAH), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Grant No. 13-MAT264-08.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to an anonymous referee, for catching errors in an earlier draft of the paper and for suggesting ways to greatly improve its readability.

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Received: 2018-04-21
Revised: 2018-10-28
Published Online: 2019-01-20
Published in Print: 2019-05-01

© 2019 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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