A note on the probability of generating alternating or symmetric groups. (Q501148)

Write \(p(X)\) with \(X=S_n\) or \(A_n\) for the probability that two elements of \(X\) generate a subgroup containing \(A_n\). An asymptotic series for \(p(S_n)\) is given by \textit{J. D. Dixon} [Electron. J. Comb. 12, No. 1, Research paper R56 (2005; Zbl 1086.20045)] and explicit upper and lower bounds to \(p(X)\) have been given by \textit{A. Maróti} and \textit{M. C. Tamburini} [Arch. Math. 96, No. 2, 115-121 (2011; Zbl 1222.20003)]. The present paper gives the following improved bounds: if \(X=S_n\) or \(A_n\) with \(n\geq 5\) then \(0.93n^{-2}<1-n^{-1}-p(X)\leq 8.8n^{-2}\). Equality holds in the upper bound if and only if \(n=6\) and the upper bound can be strengthened to \(7.5n^{-2}\) if \(n\geq 14\). The authors note that this result has implications for Philip Hall's problem [\textit{P. Hall}, Q. J. Math., Oxf. Ser. 7, 134-151 (1936; Zbl 0014.10402)] and the relationship between \(p(S)\) for a finite simple group \(S\) and the indices of maximal subgroups of \(S\) [see \textit{M. W. Liebeck} and \textit{A. Shalev}, J. Algebra 184, No. 1, 31-57 (1996; Zbl 0870.20014)].