The rank of the intersection of subgroups of a free group

Let $H$ and $K$ be finitely generated subgroups of a free group $F$, and suppose that $H$ has finite index in $F$. Is it true that $rank(H \cap K)-1 \leq (rank(H)-1)(rank(K)-1)$?

-
(actually, I missed the "finite-index" part, so ignore my deleted comment). – Andy Putman Nov 3 '13 at 19:32
@mary seva, it looks like your question is about to be closed (and/or migrated) as 'not research level'. In fact, I think it is graduate-student level, and hence acceptable on MO. But I suspect the formulation, which reads like a homework problem, has irritated the voters to close. Could you tell us how this problem arises in your research? – HJRW Nov 3 '13 at 19:39
While this is certainly not a great question, why does it get THAT many downvotes? – Stefan Kohl Nov 3 '13 at 19:50
@StefanKohl I am guessing because it looks like homework. – Igor Rivin Nov 3 '13 at 20:00

1 Answer

Yes, this statement is true and for a long time was known as the Hanna Neumann Conjecture. It was proved in 2011 by Igor Mineyev.

-
@StephanKohl The first response was knee-jerk, the second was a result of some thought. There is no way to retract a close vote, as far as I know. – Igor Rivin Nov 3 '13 at 20:29
Igor, it was asked about the case, where one of the subgroups is of finite index. This is indeed an exercise on Schreier formula. – Anton Klyachko Nov 3 '13 at 21:29
@WillJagy What do you mean "wanders off"? The question was asked just three hours ago. – Todd Trimble Nov 3 '13 at 21:49
@WillJagy Yes, I do. A "normal person" (not a fanatic like you or me (-:) might post, go about their usual day, and maybe check back in the evening when there's a spare moment. Personally I think getting back within 24 hours is fine, but I feel some impatience if it takes more than 48 hours. – Todd Trimble Nov 4 '13 at 0:41
By the way, Friedman also gave a correct proof of the Hanna Neumann Conjecture (after a couple of incorrect attempts). – HJRW Nov 4 '13 at 15:00