On a conjecture of Gluck. (Q2339681)

Let \(G\) be a finite group with Fitting subgroup \(F(G)\) and let \(b(G)\) be the largest irreducible character degree of \(G\). \textit{D. Gluck} [in Can. J. Math. 37, 442-451 (1985; Zbl 0572.20004)] proved that \(|G:F(G)|\leq b(G)^{\frac{13}{2}}\) and conjectured that \(|G:F(G)|\leq b(G)^2\). \textit{A. Espuelas} [Ill. J. Math. 35, No. 3, 499-505 (1991; Zbl 0713.20007)] verified Gluck's conjecture for groups of odd order and this was extended later by \textit{S. Dolfi} and \textit{E. Jabara} [J. Algebra 313, No. 2, 687-694 (2007; Zbl 1120.20007)] to solvable groups with abelian Sylow \(2\)-subgroups. The best general bound is due to \textit{A. Moretó} and \textit{T. R. Wolf} [in Adv. Math. 184, No. 1, 18-36 (2004); erratum: ibid. 184, No. 2, 409 (2004; Zbl 1068.20008)] where it was proved that \(|G:F(G)|\leq b(G)^3\) for every solvable group \(G\). In the paper under review three interesting results are proved. Theorem 1: Let \(G\) be a finite \(\pi\)-solvable group where \(\pi\) is the set of the prime divisors of \(F^*(G/\Phi(G))\), then \(|G:F(G)|\leq b(G)^3\). Furthermore if \(|F(G/\Phi(G))|\) is not divisible by \(64\) nor \(81\), then \(|G:F(G)|\leq b(G)^2\). Theorem 3: Let \(G\) be a finite solvable group with \(G/F(G)\) acting primitively on \(F(G)/\Phi(G)\). Then Gluck's conjecture is true for \(G\). Theorem 4: For every finite group \(G\), we have \(|G:F(G)|\leq b(G)^4\).