Conditions for solvability in complex \(p\)-solvable linear groups. (Q615872)

Let \(G\) be a finite irreducible complex linear group of degree \(n\) and suppose that \(G\) is \(p\)-solvable. The author is interested in finding criteria which imply that \(G\) is actually solvable. If \(G\) is \(p\)-closed (that is, its Sylow \(p\)-subgroup is normal), then \(G\) is a semidirect product and can be fairly easily analysed. The main theorem of the paper deals with the case where \(G\) is not \(p\)-closed. In this case it is shown that \(G\) is solvable if \(n\) either has the form \(kp-1\) with \(k<p\), or \(kp+1\) with \(k<p-2\). The proof requires a careful analysis using character theory and assumes the classification of finite simple groups.