Finite permutation groups with large Abelian quotients (Q1822608)

Let G be a group of permutations on a finite set of size n. It is shown that either the commutator factor group \(G/G'\) is trivial or there is a prime p dividing \(| G/G'|\) such that \(| G/G'| \leq p^{n/p}\). The cases of equality are determined. The original motivation for the result comes from a problem about the minimal faithful degree \(\mu\) (G) of an abstract group G. A consequence of the paper's theorem is: If G/N is an elementary abelian p-group then \(\mu\) (G/N)\(\leq \mu (G)\).