On the Möbius function of a finite group (Q5899948)

This is a very nice paper, which combines the virtues of a survey article with a lucid presentation of a large number of new results. After presenting the history of the problem of the Möbius function defined on various posets, the authors apply some general results in order to obtain divisibility theorems concerning the Möbius function of the particular poset of the subgroups of a finite group. Because of lack of space, we quote here only two samples: Theorem 4.5. Let H be a subgroup of G and let m be the product of the distinct prime divisors of \(| G:G'H|\). Then \(| N_ G(H):H|\) divides \(m\mu\) (H,G). Theorem 7.2. Let G be a finite solvable group, let \(\mu\) (G) be the value on G of the \(\mu\)-function of the poset of the subgroups of G and let \(\lambda\) (G) be the value on G of the \(\mu\)-function of the poset of conjugacy classes of G. Then \(\mu (G)=\lambda (G)| G'|.\) Apart from a number of deep results which extend known results in the literature, a new proof of the Frobenius theorem concerning the number of solutions of the equation \(x^ n=1\) in a finite group is obtained, as well as evaluations of the values of the \(\mu\)-function on certain direct products of nonabelian simple groups. The final section offers an alternative treatment of these matters, from the topological point of view, the key observation here being that the value of the \(\mu\)-function on the open interval (a,b) of a poset P can be interpreted as the reduced Euler characteristic of a certain finite simplicial complex. This part should be of interest for those interested in combinatorial applications of algebraic topology.