Solvable groups with certain finite homomorphic images cyclic (Q1109891)

This paper extends work by the author and \textit{L. C. Kappe} [Arch. Math. 49, 1-11 (1987; Zbl 0633.20023)] on nilpotent groups with every finite homomorphic image cyclic. Let \(\pi\) be a set of primes. Call a group a \(\pi\)-FHC group if all its finite homomorphic images which are \(\pi\)- groups are cyclic. An abelian \(\pi\)-FHC group is called a \(\pi\)-AFHC group. Consider the four statements: (i) G is \(\pi\)-FHC, (ii) G/G' is \(\pi\)-AFHC, (iii) \(G/G^ n\) is cyclic for all \(\pi\)-numbers \(n\neq 0\), (iv) \(G/G^ p\) is cyclic for all \(p\in \pi\). The main results show that if G is nilpotent then (i) through (iv) are equivalent and if G is solvable then (i) and (iii) are equivalent, and so are (ii) and (iv). Also (i) or (iii) implies (ii) or (iv) in this case but there exists a metabelian residually nilpotent group satisfying (ii) but not (i).