A \(p\)-nilpotency criterion. (Q2380755)

Let \(G\) be a finite group, \(p\) a fixed prime and \(P\) a Sylow \(p\)-subgroup of \(G\). Recall, \(G\) is \(p\)-nilpotent if there exists a normal \(p'\)-subgroup \(N\) of \(G\) such that \(G=PN\). The main theorem of this paper states that \(G\) is \(p\)-nilpotent if and only if \(P\) controls fusion of cyclic groups of order \(p\) if \(p\) odd, and cyclic subgroups of order 2 and 4 if \(p\) is even. As an application the author proves that if all elements of order dividing 4 of a finite group \(G\) lie in some member of the upper central series then \(G\) is 2-nilpotent. This is a generalisation of a known result for odd primes.