On a geometric representation of the subgroups of index 6 in \(S_ 6\) (Q1182945)

It is well known that there is a unique generalized quadrangle \(W\) of order 2. In 1844 J. J. Sylvester gave a simple construction of \(W\) and stated without proof that the full collineation group of \(W\) is isomorphic to \(S_ 6\). The authors present a proof of this here and show that \(W\) is embedded into \(PG(3,2)\). Using this embedding they establish several properties of \(S_ 6\), in particular, give a geometric representation of the subgroups of index 6 in \(S_ 6\).