Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2013/iii/paper-3/2/b/solution

Here is the double-coset criterion for a one-point extension. Let , and suppose swaps and . Then is a one-point extension if and only if
For necessity, in an extension fixes both and , so normalizes it and lies in it. Since is transitive on , the extension has exactly two double cosets relative to : and . For , moves into and is in the latter double coset.
For sufficiency, the displayed conditions make closed under multiplication. Products with middle element in reduce using ; those with middle element outside remain in . A finite nonempty multiplication-closed set of permutations containing the identity is a group. It contains and , hence equals . Every element in moves , while fixes it, giving the required stabilizer subgroup. The group is transitive because is transitive on and moves the additional point.

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