Free actions on spaces with nonzero Euler characteristic (Q916158)

The author applies group representation theory to prove that if a finite group G acts freely on a space homotopy equivalent to \(({\mathbb{C}}P^ m)^ k\) (some m and k), then m must be odd and G is a 2-group with \(| G| \leq 2^ k\) and exponent (G)\(\leq 2k\). Among other results about the group actions in the title, the author obtains a lower bound on the dimension of indecomposables \(QH^*(X;{\mathbb{Q}})\) when X is a finite free G-CW complex, and G is a finite abelian group.