On the number of orbits of a group in two permutation actions (Q689788)

In the context of some problems concerning locally finite groups A. Zalesskij asked the question about the behaviour of the symmetric group \(G\) on a set \(\Omega\) if it also acts on a second set \(\Delta\). Specifically he wanted information about subgroups on the two sets. This paper gives an elegant answer to the problem. It is also a nice example of the use of module-theoretic techniques to permutation group problems both finite and infinite. So before stating the main theorem we define \(F\Omega\), where \(F\) is a field, as the vector space with basis \(\Omega\) over \(F\). Any \(F\Omega\) module \(M\) has a subspace of codimension 1 given by those elements whose coordinate sum is 0. If this is the only proper non-zero submodule they say that \(M\) is almost irreducible [see also \textit{A. R. Camina} and \textit{D. M. Evans}, Q. J. Math., Oxf. II. Ser. 42, 15-26 (1991; Zbl 0719.20002)]. Their main theorem is theorem A. Let \((G,\Omega)\) be a permutation group such that \(F\Omega\) is almost irreducible for some field \(F\). Suppose that \(G\) also acts on some set \(\Delta\). Then (a) there is some \(\delta\in \Delta\) so that the stabiliser of \(\delta\), \(G_ \delta\) has a finite orbit \(\Phi\) on \(\Omega\) with \(\Phi\neq\Omega\) and the characteristic of \(F\) does not divide \(|\Phi|\), implies that (b) for every subgroup \(H\leq G\) there are at least as many \(H\)-orbits on \(\Delta\) as there are on \(\Omega\). If \(G\) is finite then (b) implies (a). They then answer the original question with Theorem B. Let \(G\) be the symmetric group on \(\Omega\) and suppose that \(G\) also acts on some set \(\Delta\). Then (a) there is some \(\delta\in\Delta\) so \(G_ \delta\) is not transitive on \(\Omega\) implies that (b) for every subgroup \(H\leq G\) there are at least as many \(H\)-orbits on \(\Delta\) as there are on \(\Omega\). If \(G\) is transitive in \(\Delta\) then (b) implies (a).