Finite Groups with All Maximal Subgroups of Prime or Prime Square Index

Abstract

In this paper finite groups with the property M, that every maximal subgroup has prime or prime square index, are investigated. A short but ingenious argument was given by P. Hall which showed that such groups are solvable.B. Huppert showed that a finite group with the property M, that every maximal subgroup has prime index, is supersolvable, i.e. the chief factors are of prime order. We prove here, as a corollary of a more precise result, that if G has property M and is of odd order, then the chief factors of G are of prime or prime square order. The even-order case is different. For every odd prime p and positive integer m we shall construct a group of order 2apb with property M which has a chief factor of order larger than m.