Odd-degree rational irreducible characters (Q2126127)

A character of a finite group is called \textit{rational} if its values are rational numbers. The authors prove the following theorem, while conjecturing that the assumption about the non-involvement of \(L_2(3^{2f+1})\) is superfluous. Theorem. Let \(G\) be a finite group. Suppose that the simple group \(L_2(3^{2f +1} )\) is not involved in \(G\) for any integer \(f\geq 1\) and that all rational irreducible characters of \(G\) have odd degree. Then all rational elements of \(G\) are \(2\)-elements. The proof relies mainly on two previous papers: [\textit{G. Navarro} and \textit{P. H. Tiep}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 360, No. 5, 2443--2465 (2008; Zbl 1137.20009)] and [\textit{G. Navarro} and \textit{P. H. Tiep}, Adv. Math. 224, No. 3, 1121--1142 (2010; Zbl 1200.20006)]. The paper is well written. The proof is cut into logical pieces concerning 1) the solvable groups, 2) whether other simple groups may be involved in \(G\) and 3) the special properties of \(L(3^{2f+1})\), whose Steinberg character is rational of odd degree.