Rational permutation modules for finite groups (Q1298002)

Let \(G\) be a finite group. We study the subring of permutation modules \(P(G)\) inside the rational representation ring \(R(G)\) using techniques from induction theory. We give a criterion (Theorem A) to decide when a given rational representation is a virtual permutation representation. The cokernel \(R(G)/P(G)\) is calculated in many cases, including \(G\) nilpotent (see Theorem C). A sample computational result: Theorem B. If \(p\) is the largest prime dividing the order of \(G\), then \(C(G)\) is \(p\)-torsion-free.