In mathematics, subgroup growth is a branch of group theory, dealing with quantitative questions about subgroups of a given group. Let G be a finitely generated group. Then, for each integer n define a_n(G) to be the number of subgroups H of index n in G. Similarly, if G is a topological group, s_n(G) denotes the number of open subgroups U of index n in G. One similarly defines m_n(G) and to denote the number of maximal and normal subgroups of index n, respectively. Subgroup growth studies these functions, their interplay, and the characterization of group theoretical properties in terms of these functions. The theory was motivated by the desire to enumerate finite groups of given order, and the analogy with Mikhail Gromov's notion of word growth.

Nilpotent groups

Let G be a finitely generated torsionfree nilpotent group. Then there exists a composition series with infinite cyclic factors, which induces a bijection (though not necessarily a homomorphism). such that group multiplication can be expressed by polynomial functions in these coordinates; in particular, the multiplication is definable. Using methods from the model theory of p-adic integers, F. Grunewald, D. Segal and G. Smith showed that the local zeta function is a rational function in p^{-s}. As an example, let G be the discrete Heisenberg group. This group has a "presentation" with generators and relations Hence, elements of G can be represented as triples of integers with group operation given by To each finite index subgroup U of G, associate the set of all "good bases" of U as follows. Note that G has a normal series with infinite cyclic factors. A triple is called a good basis of U, if generate U, and. In general, it is quite complicated to determine the set of good bases for a fixed subgroup U. To overcome this difficulty, one determines the set of all good bases of all finite index subgroups, and determines how many of these belong to one given subgroup. To make this precise, one has to embed the Heisenberg group over the integers into the group over p-adic numbers. After some computations, one arrives at the formula where \mu is the Haar measure on, |\cdot|_p denotes the p-adic absolute value and \mathcal{M} is the set of tuples of p-adic integers such that is a good basis of some finite-index subgroup. The latter condition can be translated into Now, the integral can be transformed into an iterated sum to yield where the final evaluation consists of repeated application of the formula for the value of the geometric series. From this we deduce that \zeta_G (s) can be expressed in terms of the Riemann zeta function as For more complicated examples, the computations become difficult, and in general one cannot expect a closed expression for \zeta_G(s). The local factor can always be expressed as a definable p-adic integral. Applying a result of MacIntyre on the model theory of p-adic integers, one deduces again that \zeta_G(s) is a rational function in p^{-s}. Moreover, M. du Sautoy and F. Grunewald showed that the integral can be approximated by Artin L-functions. Using the fact that Artin L-functions are holomorphic in a neighbourhood of the line \Re (s)=1, they showed that for any torsionfree nilpotent group, the function \zeta_G(s) is meromorphic in the domain where \alpha is the abscissa of convergence of \zeta_G(s), and \delta is some positive number, and holomorphic in some neighbourhood of. Using a Tauberian theorem this implies for some real number \alpha and a non-negative integer k.

Congruence subgroups

Subgroup growth and coset representations

Let G be a group, U a subgroup of index n. Then G acts on the set of left cosets of U in G by left shift: In this way, U induces a homomorphism of G into the symmetric group on G/U. G acts transitively on G/U, and vice versa, given a transitive action of G on the stabilizer of the point 1 is a subgroup of index n in G. Since the set can be permuted in ways, we find that s_n(G) is equal to the number of transitive G-actions divided by (n-1)!. Among all G-actions, we can distinguish transitive actions by a sifting argument, to arrive at the following formula where h_n(G) denotes the number of homomorphisms In several instances the function h_n(G) is easier to be approached then s_n(G), and, if h_n(G) grows sufficiently large, the sum is of negligible order of magnitude, hence, one obtains an asymptotic formula for s_n(G). As an example, let F_2 be the free group on two generators. Then every map of the generators of F_2 extends to a homomorphism that is From this we deduce For more complicated examples, the estimation of h_n(G) involves the representation theory and statistical properties of symmetric groups.