On the order of linear homogeneous groups. II

Abstract

? 1. In 1878 JORDAN proved a theorem concerning linear homogeneous groups which may be enunciated as follows: Every such group G in n variables has an abelian self-conjugate subgroup F of orderf, and the order of G is )Xf, where X is inferior to a fixed number which depends only upon n.t The proof of this theorem is quite remarkable, the more so since the limit of X is not determined. The writer of the present article is not aware of any attempts that have been made since 1878 to find a limit to Xaside from the cases n 2, 3 4 -and he presents herewith some theorems which, in connection with some given by him in these Transactions, vol. 4 (1903), pp. 387-397, can be utilized to determine a number that X must divide, at least in the case of groups. However, the chief object of the present paper is not this, but rather the presentation of some methods and theorems that are useful in the construction of the groups considered. As an illustration, the primitive groups in three variables are enumnerated at the end of the paper. The technical terms and phrases defined in the paper On the order of linear homogeneous groups, these T r a n s a c t i o n s, vol. 4, already referred to, will be retained here. As the present article is considered a continuation of this earlier paper -to which we shall hereafter refer by Linear groups I we shall begin with Theorem 8, meaning by the Theorems 1-7 those of Linear groups I. Unless otherwise stated, the substitutions used are linear and homogeneous in the variables concerned, and of determinant 1.