Groups that are the union of a finite number of double cosets. (Q997563)

The paper under review is devoted to the following problem which generalizes a question of Dunwoody. If the group \(G\) is a union of a finite number of double cosets \(Hy_iH\) of the subgroup \(H\), find conditions which imply that \(H\) is of finite index in \(G\). A positive answer is given in several important cases: \(H\) is of finite index when \(G\) is residually finite and \(H\) is virtually nilpotent; when \(G\) is residually periodic and \(H\) is finitely generated and virtually nilpotent-by-polycyclic; if \(G\) is topological Hausdorff and \(H\) is compact; if \(G\) is linear and \(H\) is finitely generated and solvable; if \(G\) is a subgroup of a hyperbolic (in the sense of Gromov) group and \(H\) is virtually cyclic; etc.