Exploring the structure of a finite group given an equation in its irreducible characters (Q1270247)

Let \(G\) be a finite group and let \(\text{Irr}(G)=\{\chi_1,\dots,\chi_k\}\) denote the set of all irreducible complex characters of \(G\). If \(q\) is a prime number and for some \(\chi_\alpha\in\text{Irr}(G)\) the relation \(\chi_\alpha^q=\sum_{i=1}^k\chi_i\) holds, then the author shows that \(q=2\) whenever \(G'\) is a proper subgroup of \(G\). In this case it is proved that \(G/G'\) is an elementary abelian 2-group and if \(G'\) is abelian then \(G'\) is an elementary abelian 3-group. The author conjectures that the first conclusion of the paper holds even in the case of \(G=G'\).