English

An answer regarding automorphisms of finite abelian groups

Group Theory 2026-04-02 v2

Abstract

In this note we provide a negative answer to the question: ``Is it true that for every positive rational number rr there exists a finite abelian group GG such that Aut(G)/G=r|\mathrm{Aut}(G)|/|G| = r?". We show that if r=a/br = a/b is a rational number (with aa and bb coprime integers) so that r=Aut(G)/Gr = |\mathrm{Aut}(G)|/|G| for a finite abelian group GG, then bb is squarefree. We also show that no odd prime can equal Aut(G)/G |\mathrm{Aut}(G)|/|G| for a finite abelian group GG.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2603.29299,
  title  = {An answer regarding automorphisms of finite abelian groups},
  author = {Ryan McCulloch},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2603.29299},
  year   = {2026}
}