Covering by Centralizers

Abstract

In this paper, we consider covers of finite groups by centralizers of elements. We show that the set of centralizers that are maximal under the partial ordering form a cover of the group. We also show that the set of centralizers that are minimal under the partial ordering form a cover of the group. We show for $F$-groups that are nonabelian $p$-groups that the number of distinct nontrivial centralizers is congruent to $1$ modulo $p$.