On the virtual potency of automorphism groups and split extensions (Q6179760)

A group \(G\) is potent if for every element \(a\) of \(G\), for every positive integer divisor \(n\) of the order of \(a\), there exists a homomorphism of \(G\) onto a finite group taking \(a\) to an element of order \(n\). The author obtains sufficient conditions for potency and virtual potency for automorphism groups and the split extensions of some groups. In particular, considering a finitely generated group \(G\) residually \(p\)-finite for every prime \(p\), he proves.. that each split extension of \(G\) by a torsion-free potent group is a potent group and if the abelianization rank of \(G\) is at most \(2\), then the automorphism group of \(G\) is virtually potent. As a corollary, he derives necessary and sufficient conditions of virtual potency for certain generalized free products and HNN-extensions.