Generating the Mapping Class Group of a Nonorientable Surface by Two Elements or By Three Involutions

Abstract

We prove that, for $g\ge 19$ the mapping class group of a nonorientable surface of genus $g$, $\text{Mod}(N_g)$, can be generated by two elements, one of which is of order $g$. We also prove that for $g\ge 26$, $\text{Mod}(N_g)$ can be generated by three involutions if $g\ge 26$.

9 pages, 5 figures