The number of maximal subgroups and probabilistic generation of finite groups

Abstract

In this survey we present some significant bounds for the‎ ‎number of maximal subgroups of a given index of a finite group‎. ‎As a‎ ‎consequence‎, ‎new bounds for the number of random‎ ‎generators needed to generate a finite $d$-generated group with high‎ ‎probability which are significantly tighter than the ones obtained in‎ ‎the paper of Jaikin-Zapirain and Pyber (Random generation of finite‎ ‎and profinite groups and group enumeration‎, ‎emph{Ann. Math.}‎, ‎textbf{183} (2011) 769--814) are obtained‎. ‎The results of‎ ‎Jaikin-Zapirain and Pyber‎, ‎as well as other results of Lubotzky‎, ‎Detomi‎, ‎and Lucchini‎, ‎appear as particular cases of our theorems‎.