\(1\tfrac 12\)-generation of finite simple groups (Q1267331)

Generation of finite simple groups by two elements is an interesting subject. It has been studied by many authors. For the alternating groups there is a classical result. For the sporadic groups it is considered by \textit{A. J. Woldar} [Commun. Algebra 22, No. 2, 675-685 (1994; Zbl 0806.20020)]. In the paper under review, the author deals with the simple groups of Lie type. The arguments depend on \textit{T. S. Weigel} [Geom. Dedicata 41, No. 1, 63-87 (1992; Zbl 0758.20001)] and \textit{G. Malle, J. Saxl} and \textit{T. Weigel} [ibid. 49, No. 1, 85-116 (1994; Zbl 0832.20029)]. For some exceptional small groups the calculation is done by computer. Combining the present work with previous ones it follows that for every finite simple group \(G\), there exists a conjugacy class \(C\) such that for any \(1\neq x\in G\) the group \(G\) is generated by \(x\) and an element \(y\in C\). The conjugacy class \(C\) is determined for each \(G\). -- A stronger result is obtained independently by R. Guralnick and W. Kantor.