On the commuting probability in finite groups. (Q2498857)

Let \(G\) be a finite group and \(k(G)\) be the number of conjugacy classes in \(G\). Then the number of commuting pairs \((x,y)\in G\times G\) is equal to \(k(G)|G|\). The authors call the ratio \(\text{cp}(G):=k(G)/|G|\) the commuting probability in \(G\). This probability has been studied by a number of authors [see \textit{P. X. Gallagher}, Math. Z. 118, 175-179 (1970; Zbl 0221.20006); \textit{P. M. Neumann}, Bull. Lond. Math. Soc. 21, No. 5, 456-458 (1989; Zbl 0695.20018); and \textit{L. G. Kovács} and \textit{G. R. Robinson}, J. Algebra 160, No. 2, 441-460 (1993; Zbl 0830.20048)] and it is known, for example, that \(\text{cp}(G)\leq 5/8\) when \(G\) is nonabelian, and that \(\text{cp}(G)\leq\text{cp}(N)\text{cp}(G/N)\) for each normal subgroup \(N\) of \(G\). In the present paper the authors summarize some of the earlier results and extend them. The following are typical of their theorems: (i) \(\text{cp}(G)^2[G:F]\leq\text{cp}(F)\) where \(F\) is the Fitting subgroup of \(G\); (ii) \(\text{cp}(G)^2[G:\text{sol}(G)]\leq 1\) where \(\text{sol}(G)\) is the solvable radical of \(G\) (and equality holds only when \(G\) is Abelian); (iii) if \(G\) is solvable, then for any set \(\pi\) of primes \(\text{cp}(G)|G|_\pi\) is bounded above by the number of \(G\)-conjugacy classes in \(O_\pi(G)\); (iv) if \(G\) is solvable with derived length \(d\geq 4\), then \(\text{cp}(G)\leq(4d-7)/2^{d+1}\); (v) if \(G\) has even order and \(Z(G)=1\), then \(|G|\leq|C_G(x)|^3\) for some \(x\neq 1\) in \(G\). In some cases the results are linked to the \(k(GV)\)-problem [see \textit{D. Gluck, K. Magaard, U. Riese} and \textit{P. Schmid}, J. Algebra 279, No. 2, 694-719 (2004; Zbl 1058.20010)]. The authors distinguish carefully proofs which are dependent on the classification of finite simple groups from those which are not.