Sylow subgroups and the number of conjugacy classes of \(p\)-elements. (Q1883034)

Let \(G\) be a finite group, \(p\) a prime and \(P\in\text{Syl}_p(G)\). Let \(k_p(G)\) denote the number of conjugacy classes of non-identity \(p\)-elements of \(G\). Furthermore, let \(k_p^*(G)\) be the number of \(\Aut(G)\)-orbits of non-identity \(p\)-elements of \(G\); then \(k_p^*(G)\leq k_p(G)\). It appears that the derived length \(dl(P)\) of \(P\) can be bounded in terms of \(k_p^*(G)\). If \(G\) is \(p\)-solvable, then \(dl(P)\leq k_p^*(G)\). As it stands, this bound is not valid for all non \(p\)-solvable groups. In the general case we have \(dl(P)\leq k_p^*(G)+7\). In conclusion some possibilities for improving the above results are discussed.