Derangements in Cosets of Primitive Permutation Groups

Abstract

Motivated by questions arising in connection with branched coverings of connected smooth projective curves over finite fields, we study the proportion of fixed point free elements (derangements) in cosets of normal subgroups of primitive permutations groups. Using the Aschbacher-O'Nan-Scott theorem for primitive groups to partition the problem, we provide complete answers for affine groups and groups which contain a regular normal nonabelian subgroup.