Asymptotic Results for Primitive Permutation Groups

Abstract

We prove that the number of conjugacy classes of primitive permutation groups of degreenis at mostncμ(n), where μ(n) denotes the maximal exponent occurring in the prime factorization ofn. This result is applied to investigating maximal subgroup growth of infinite groups. We then proceed by showing that if the point-stabilizerGαof a primitive groupGof degreendoes not have the alternating group Alt(d) as a section, then the order ofGis bounded by a polynomial inn. This result extends a well-known theorem of Babai, Cameron and Pálfy. It is used to prove, for example, that ifHis a subgroup of indexnin a groupG, andHis a product ofbcyclic groups, then G:HG≤ncwherecdepends onb. © 1997 Academic Press.