Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2017 / ii / Paper 3 / 17G / c

Multiplicativity of the determinant gives $\delta (gh)=\delta (g)\delta (h)$ and $\delta (1)=1$, so $\delta$ is a linear character. Its finite image is a cyclic group of roots of unity. If it contains $-1$, its order is $2m$ and the character of a representation ${\delta }^m$ maps onto $\{\pm 1\}$. The kernel of a group homomorphism is the preimage of its identity, so $\ker ({\delta }^m)$ is a normal subgroup of index $2$. The subgroup $\ker \delta$ itself need not have index $2$.

By Cauchy theorem for groups, a group $E$ of order $2k$ has an involution $g$. In the regular representation, left multiplication by $g$ is a permutation consisting of $k$ disjoint transpositions, so its determinant is $(-1{)}^k=-1$ when $k$ is odd. The preceding argument gives a normal subgroup of index two.

For a nonabelian simple group of order below $80$, Burnside's theorem requires at least three distinct prime factors. An odd order with three factors is at least $3\cdot 5\cdot 7=105$. An even order with exactly one factor of $2$ has a normal subgroup of index $2$. Thus its order must be divisible by $4$ and by at least two odd primes. Below $80$ the only possibility is $4\cdot 3\cdot 5=60$, since the next is $4\cdot 3\cdot 7=84$. Hence $\boxed{|H|=60}$.