English

2-covering numbers of some finite solvable groups

Group Theory 2026-02-02 v1

Abstract

A 2-covering for a finite group GG is a set of proper subgroups of GG such that every pair of elements of GG is contained in at least one subgroup in the set. The minimal number of subgroups needed to 2-cover a group GG is called the 2-covering number and denoted by σ2(G).\sigma_2(G). In \cite{gk} it is conjectured that if GG is solvable and not 2-generated, then σ2(G)=1+q+q2,\sigma_2(G)=1+q+q^2, where qq is a prime power. We disprove this conjecture.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2601.23144,
  title  = {2-covering numbers of some finite solvable groups},
  author = {Andrea Lucchini},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2601.23144},
  year   = {2026}
}