On the number of $p$-elements in a finite group

Abstract

In this paper we study the ratio between the number of $p$-elements and the order of a Sylow $p$-subgroup of a finite group $G$. As well known, this ratio is a positive integer and we conjecture that, for every group $G$, it is at least the $(1-\frac{1}{p})$-th power of the number of Sylow $p$-subgroups of $G$. We prove this conjecture if $G$ is $p$-solvable. Moreover, we prove that the conjecture is true in its generality if a somewhat similar condition holds for every almost simple group.