X-Ray Flares and Activity Complexes on the Sun in Solar Cycle 24

The statistical relationship between activity complex (ACs) on the Sun and solar flares with GOES X-ray classes higher than M1.0 (744 events) is analyzed for the 24th solar-activity cycle (before January 2019). All groups of sunspots are divided into three classes, corresponding to those in cores and branches of ACs and those outside of ACs. It is shown that 78% of the flares considered occur predominantly in groups of sunspots in AC cores and branches. The specific number of flares in AC cores exceeds the corresponding number in AC branches and outside of ACs by a factor of 2.5. 87% of LDE flares of the indicated classes, 82% of all strong proton flares generating fluxes of energetic protons at the Earth’s orbit, and 74% of all gamma-ray flares in Cycle 24 were associated with ACs.