On \((\mathrm{n} + \frac 12)\)-Engel groups (Q2182113)

Let \(n\) be a positive integer. A group \(G\) is said to be an \((n+1/2)\)-Engel group if \([x,_ny,x]=1\) for all \(x,y\in G\). It is easy to see that every \(n\)-Engel group is an \((n+1/2)\)-Engel group and that any \((n+1/2)\)-Engel group is an \((n+1)\)-Engel group. It is known that \(4\)-Engel groups are locally nilpotent [\textit{G. Havas} and \textit{M. R. Vaghan-Lee}, Int. J. Algebra Comput. 15, No. 4, 649--682 (2005; Zbl 1087.20029)] and the aim of the paper under review is to investigate local nilpotency in \((4+1/2)\)-Engel groups. In particular, it is proved that if \(\pi\) is a set of primes and \(G\) is a \((4+1/2)\)-Engel \(\pi\)-group, then \(G\) is locally nilpotent when \(\pi=\{2,3\}\) (Theorem B), and \(G^p\) is locally nilpotent when \(\pi=\{p\}\) with \(p\geq 5\) (Theorem C). The main step in the proof of the above results is showing that the group \(\langle a,b \mid [a,_3b]=[b,_3a]=[a^{-1},_3b^{-1}]=[b^{-1},_3a^{-1}]=1\rangle\) is nilpotent of class \(4\) (Theorem A).