Some remarks on the computation of complements and normalizers in soluble groups (Q2639959)

Finite soluble groups G are represented in a computer by a (consistent) power-commutator-presentation passing through a normal series \(G=N_ 0>N_ 1>...>N_ r=1\) with elementary abelian factors; subgroups have a canonical generating series; many computations proceed inductively from \(G/N_ i\) to \(G/N_{i+1}\). The present paper contains an algorithm for the computation of \(H^ 1(G,M)\) (i.e. representatives for the conjugacy classes of complements to the normal subgroup M in the semidirect product GM) for a soluble group G acting on an elementary abelian p-group M and explanations of its use in the computation of representatives for the conjugacy classes of complements to normal subgroups and of its use in the computation of the normalizer of a subgroup. In these algorithms the authors seek to avoid general `orbit-stabilizer algorithms' which would involve time consuming collection processes; they are replaced by affine group actions on vector-spaces which can be processed by solving systems of linear equations. While there are no comparable previous implementations of complement algorithms, the effectiveness of the present refinement of the \textit{S. Glasby} and \textit{M. Slattery} normalizer algorithm [J. Symb. Comput. 9, 637-651 (1990; Zbl 0707.20001)] is demonstrated by relevant examples run under the GAP-system at Aachen. \(\{\) Several references have now appeared in J. Symb. Comput. 9, No.5/6 (1990).\(\}\) This article is reprinted in: G. M. Piacentini Cattaneo, E. Strickland (eds.), Topics in Computational Algebra (Computational Algebra Seminar, Rome `Tor Vergata', 9-11 May 1990), Kluwer Acad. Publ. (1990; Zbl 0723.00021).