On Brauer's \(k(B)\)-problem for blocks of \(p\)-solvable groups with non-Abelian defect groups. (Q1763911)

Brauer's \(k(B)\) problem is to prove that if \(B\) is a \(p\)-block with defect group \(D\), then \(k(B)\leq|D|\), where \(k(B)\) denotes the number of irreducible ordinary characters of \(B\). It was shown by H.~Nagao that in the case of \(p\)-solvable groups, it suffices to consider groups of the form \(H=GV\), where \(G\) is a \(p'\)-group acting faithfully and irreducibly on the elementary Abelian \(p\)-group \(V\). In this case the solution to the problem has recently been completed by D.~Gluck, K.~Magaard, U.~Riese and P.~Schmidt. By using this affirmative answer, the author proves that if \(B\) is a \(p\)-block of a \(p\)-solvable group which has a non-Abelian defect group \(D\), then \(k(B)<|D|\). When \(D\) is Abelian, the situation when the equality \(k(B)=|D|\) holds is also investigated.