Base sizes for sporadic simple groups. (Q611032)

Let \(G\) be a permutation group acting on a set \(\Omega\). A subset of \(\Omega\) is a base for \(G\) if its pointwise stabilizer in \(G\) is trivial. The minimal size of a base for \(G\) is denoted by \(b(G)\). In the present paper, the authors determine the precise value of \(b(G)\) for every primitive almost simple sporadic group \(G\), with the exception of two cases involving the Baby Monster group. As a corollary, it is deduced that \(b(G)\leq 7\), with equality if and only if \(G\) is the Mathieu group \(M_{24}\) in its natural action on 24 points. This confirms a conjecture of \textit{P. J. Cameron} [Permutation groups. London Mathematical Society Student Texts 45. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (1999; Zbl 0922.20003), p.~122].