Generating the Mapping Class Group of a Nonorientable Surface by Two Elements or by Three Involutions

Abstract

We prove that, for $$g\ge 19$$ the mapping class group of a nonorientable surface of genus g, $$\mathrm{Mod}(N_g)$$ , can be generated by two elements, one of which is of order g. We also prove that for $$g\ge 26$$ , $$\mathrm{Mod}(N_g)$$ can be generated by three involutions.