On groups having the prime graph as alternating and symmetric groups

Abstract

The {\it prime graph} $\Gamma (G)$ of a finite group $G$ is the graph whose vertex set is the set of prime divisors of $|G|$ and in which two distinct vertices $r$ and $s$ are adjacent if and only if there exists an element of $G$ of order $rs$. Let $A_n$ ($S_n$) denote the alternating (symmetric) group of degree $n$. We prove that if $G$ is a finite group with $\Gamma (G)=\Gamma (A_n)$ or $\Gamma (G)=\Gamma (S_n)$, where $n\ge 19$, then there exists a normal subgroup $K$ of $G$ and an integer $t$ such that $A_t\le G/K\le S_t$ and $|K|$ is divisible by at most one prime greater than $n/2$.

8 pages