On the number of fixed point free elements in a permutation group (Q1199592)

The following theorem is proved: Suppose that \(G\) is a transitive permutation group of degree \(n\) with permutation rank \(r\) and minimal degree \(d\). Then the number \(f_ 0\) of elements of \(G\) without fixed points satisfies \(f_ 0 \geq ((r - 1) | G| - d(n - 1))/(n - d)\) with equality if and only if each element of \(G\) fixes at least \(n - d\) or at most 1 point. It is shown that estimates for the size of the minimal degree \(d\) either elementary (due to L. Babai) or using the classification of finite simple groups (due to Liebeck and Saxl) give lower bounds in terms of \(r\) and \(d\) only.