Generating the Mapping Class Group of a Nonorientable Surface by Two Elements or by Three Involutions

Abstract

We prove that, for g >= 19 the mapping class group of a nonorientable surface of genus g, Mod(N-g), can be generated by two elements, one of which is of order g. We also prove that for g >= 26, Mod(N-g) can be generated by three involutions.