Right weak Engel conditions on linear groups

Abstract

If X is a group-class, a group G is right X-Engel if for all g in G there exists an X-subgroup E of G such that for all x in G there is a positive integer m(x) with [g, nx] ∈ E for all n ≥ m(x). Let G be a linear group. Special cases of our main theorem are the following. If X is the class of all Chernikov groups, or all finite groups, or all locally finite groups, then G is right X-Engel if and only if G has a normal X-subgroup modulo which G is hypercentral. The same conclusion holds if G has positive characteristic and X is one of the following classes; all polycyclic-by-finite groups, all groups of finite Prüfer rank, all minimax groups, all groups with finite Hirsch number, all soluble-by-finite groups with finite abelian total rank. In general the characteristic zero case is more complex.