A new existence proof for \(Ly\), the sporadic simple group of R. Lyons (Q5928890)

The author proves that two specific permutations of degree 9606125 generate the sporadic simple Lyons group \(Ly\). These two permutations are provided by work of \textit{G. Cooperman, L. Finkelstein, M. Tselman} and \textit{B. York} [J. Symb. Comput. 24, No. 3-4, 471-488 (1997; Zbl 0884.20010)]. The author reports on a computer proof and the description of the algorithm which shows that the 2 permutations generate a group \(G\) whose order is the order of \(Ly\). Next he shows that \(G\) contains an involution \(t\) not lying in \(Z^*(G)\) such that \(C_G(t)\) is isomorphic to the double cover of the alternating group of degree 11. This proves -- using the work of Lyons -- that \(G\simeq Ly\).