On the Wielandt length of metabelian \(p\)-groups (Q914832)

The Wielandt subgroup of a group \(G\) is defined to be the intersection of the normalizers of all the subnormal subgroups of \(G\). For a non-trivial finite group the Wielandt subgroup is a non-trivial characteristic subgroup of the group. For a finite group this makes it possible to define an ascending normal series terminating at the group. This series is called the Wielandt series and the minimum length of such a series is called the Wielandt length of the group. For a nilpotent group, the Wielandt subgroup coincides with the norm or kern of the group and is in the second centre of the group. Since the Wielandt subgroup contains the centre, if the group has Wielandt length \(n\) the nilpotency class must be between \(n\) and \(2n\). This paper investigates the relationship between the Wielandt length and the nilpotency class for finite metabelian \(p\)-groups, where \(p\) is an odd prime. The main result shows that if such a group has Wielandtlength \(n\) then its nilpotency class is \(n\) or \(n+1\). This result is best possible, but an example is provided to show that the condition that the group be metabelian is necessary.