The triviality of the multiplier of Thompson's group \(F_ 3\) (Q1080943)

The Schur multiplier of the sporadic simple group \(F_ 3\) (Thompson's group) is shown to be trivial. The calculations are based on information in \textit{D. Parrott}'s paper on \(F_ 3\) [J. Algebra 46, 389-404 (1977; Zbl 0361.20022)]. Let \(M_ p\) denote the Sylow p-subgroup of the multiplier. A quick argument shows \(M_ p\) is trivial for \(p\neq 3\). A presentation in terms of generators and relations is obtained for the normalizer N of a Sylow 3-subgroup P of \(F_ 3\). Then the Canberra nilpotent quotient algorithm is used to compute a presentation for the 3- cover of P and the action of N on the 3-multiplicator of P; if follows that \(M_ 3\) is trivial. It is pointed out that another (machine- independent) proof has been given by \textit{R. Lyons} [Commun. Algebra 12, 1889-1898 (1984; Zbl 0541.20008)].