Questions tagged [free-groups]
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206 questions
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Membership to double cosets in free groups
Is there an elementary and efficient algorithm for testing the membership to a double coset of f.g. subgroups in a free group?
Has this membership problem been implemented in GAP/Magma?
More ...
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1
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Dirichlet region of a free group
Let $G$ be a non-uniform lattice Fuchsian group and let $P$ be a Dirichlet region for $G$. In particular $G$ has parabolic elements, $P$ is not compact and has finite area. We are in the unit disc. Is ...
- 28.2k
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Howson property of automorphism group of $F_2$ and of $F_3$
Is the intersection of any two finitely generated subgroups of $\operatorname{Aut}(F_2)$ (resp. $\operatorname{Aut}(F_3)$) again finitely generated? That is, does $\operatorname{Aut}(F_2)$ (resp. $\...
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When does bottom stratum of relative train track map give rise to irreducible outer automorphism of free groups
Let $F_n$ be the free group of finite rank $n$ and let $\mathcal{O} \in \text{Out}(F_n)$. Let $\Gamma$ be a finite graph and $f : \Gamma \to \Gamma$ a relative train track representative of $\mathcal{...
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How can I build free unital magmas?
N. Bourbaki formally defines the free magma $M(X)$ over a set $X$. However, it does not define the free unital magma over $X$, which I am denoting by $M^{\ast}(X)$ (maybe you know some more common ...
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Is there a non-free group $G$ whose subgroups are all freely decomposable?
Suppose that $G$ is a group such that every subgroup $H \subseteq G$ (including $G$ itself) is either free or a non-trivial free product, i.e. $H = H_1 * H_2$ with $H_1, H_2$ both non-trivial. Is ...
- 63.9k
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Why is every nilpotent-by-finite finitely generated pro-p-group always $p$-adic analytic
I'm studying the paper "On the verbal width of finitely generated pro-p groups" by Andrei Jaikin-Zapirain (link at ProjectEuclid) and I cannot see a claim made in a proof. I don't know if ...
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Converse of Schreier theorem
I know that every subgroup of a free group is free (Schreier theorem).
I'm wondering that a (non-trivial) converse is true, that is, if every proper subgroup of an infinite group $G$ is free, then $G$ ...
- 25k
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Infinitely generated non-free group with all proper subgroups free
Is there any example of group $G$ satisfying the following properties?
$G$ is non-abelian, infinitely generated (i.e. it is not finitely generated) and not a free group.
$H< G$ implies that $H$ is ...
- 63.9k
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Ascending chain condition for 1-element normal closures in a free group
Let $F$ be a free group of finite rank. Does $F$ satisfy the ascending chain condition on normal subgroups each of which is a normal closure of one element?
In other words, can there exist elements $...
- 10.6k
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A result of Schützenberger on commutators and powers in free groups
It is an old result of Schützenberger that in a free group, a basic commutator cannot be a proper power. A look at the original reference
M.-P. Schützenberger, Sur l'équation $a^{2+n} = b^{2+m}c^{2+p}...
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Extending a representation of a free group to an extension of a mapping torus
Given a free group on $n$ generators, $F_n$, $\phi$ an automorphism of $F_n$, and a non-trivial representation $\rho: F_n \rightarrow \operatorname{Homeo}_+(\mathbb{R})$, are necessary and sufficient ...
- 63.9k
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Symmetric group in terms of block permutations
For $i+j+k=N$, consider the permutation $\Pi_{i,j,k}\in S_N$, which keeps the numbers $0,\ldots,i-1$ fixed, and exchanges the numbers $i,\ldots,i+j-1$ with the numbers $i+j,\ldots,i+j+k-1$.
$$\Pi_{i,j,...
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Are groups with the Haagerup property hyperlinear?
In his 2008 paper Hyperlinear and Sofic Groups: A Brief Guide, Pestov asked (Open Question 9.5) whether every group with the Haagerup property is hyperlinear (or sofic). Has this question been ...
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Applications of Tits' alternative in algebraic number theory
I have recently studying Tits' alternative. The theorem statement goes like the following:
Tits' alternative: Let $G$ be any finitely generated linear group over a field. Then one of the following is ...
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Intersection of subgroup of a free group with the lower central series
If I have a subgroup $S$ of a free group $\mathcal{F}_m$, what can I say about the behaviour of the descending sequence of subgroups
$\left< S, \Gamma_c(\mathcal{F}_m) \right>$ (where $\Gamma_c(\...
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Ideal of the free Lie algebra L(x,y) generated by x
Let $L=L(x,y)$ be the free Lie algebra generated by letters $x,y.$ For a vector subspace $V\leq L$ we denote by $[V,L]$ the vector space spanned by brackets $[v,l],v\in V,l\in L.$
A vector subspace $V\...
CommunityBot
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Free groups are CT-groups [closed]
A group $G$ is called CT-group if being commutative elements is transitive relation on $G\setminus\{1\}$ i.e. if $ 1 \neq x,y,z\in G $ and $[x,y]=1, [y,z]=1 $ then $[x,z]=1$.
I encountered the fact ...
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finite index, self-normalizing subgroup of $F_2$ [closed]
Denote $F_2=\langle a, b\rangle$ to be the free group on two generators $a, b$.
Let $H\leq F_2$ to be a subgroup with finite index $n$, so $H\cong F_{n+1}$ by Nielsen–Schreier theorem, recall that $...
- 63.9k
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Intersection growth of free profinite groups
Let $F_n$ be a free profinite group of finite rank $n$ and let $V_k$ denote the intersection of all open subgroups of $F_n$ of rank at most $k$ ($k \in \mathbb{N}$).
My questions are:
Can I ...
CommunityBot
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Free algebras on sets of different cardinality – for what theories are they non-isomorphic?
Following the case of groups, I asked in this MSE question for a quick proof that given a free-forgetful adjunction $F\dashv U$ for some algebraic theory, we have $X\not\cong Y\implies FX\not\cong FY$....
- 63.9k
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Generating the monoid of injective endomorphisms of the free group
Let $F$ be the free group of rank $2$ (or any finite rank if this does not matter). The set of injective group endomorphisms $F\to F$ forms a monoid $M$ by compositions. Is there a simple looking set ...
- 63.9k
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outer automorphism classification
I am trying to understand Bestvina's "A Bers-like proof of the existence of train tracks for free group automorphisms". I'm going to ask a probably trivial question ... Here we go:
The automorphism $\...
- 25k
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How does Outer Space look like without a simplex?
Considering the simplicial structure of Culler and Vogtmanns Outer Space $CV_n$. The question is now:
Let $\Delta \subset CV_n$ be a closed simplex of dimension $3n-4$ or $3n-5$, how does $CV_n \...
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Description of quasimorphisms of the free group
Let $F$ be a free group of finite rank with a fixed basis and corresponding word metric. Let $Q = Q^0_h(F, \mathbb{R})$ be the space of real homogenous quasimorphisms that vanish on the basis of $F$. ...
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Lyndon words and free groups [closed]
It is well known that Lyndon words form a basis for free Lie algebras. Is there any analog result for free groups? What is the connection between Lyndon words and free groups? Since groups and Lie ...
- 63.9k
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Partially commutative elements in powers of augmentation ideal
Let $\vartheta$ a relation of parcial commutation over a set $X,$ and consider the respective free parcially commutative group $F(X, \vartheta).$ Let $K[F(X, \vartheta)]$ the parcially commutative ...
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"Brunnian" words in solvable groups
Let $G$ be a group, and call a word $W(x_1,\dots,x_n)$ in letters $x_i$ and $x_i^{-1}$ "$G$-Brunnian" if there exist $g_1,\dots,g_n\in G$ with $W(g_1,\dots,g_n)\neq1$, but $W(h_1,\dots,h_n)=1$ as soon ...
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Conjugating generators in free groups
Let $F_n := \langle x_1,\dotsc,x_n\rangle$ be the free group on $n$ generators. Let $w_1,\dotsc,w_n\in F_n$ and consider the endomorphism $\varphi:F_n\to F_n, x_i\mapsto w_ix_iw_i^-$.
I conjecture ...
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An epimorphism into a profinite group
Let $p$ be an odd prime number, $G$ a finitely generated nonabelian profinite group, $L \lhd_o G$ a pro-$p$ group with $[G : L] = 2$. Suppose that there is a continuous surjection from $G$ onto a free ...
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Normal Subgroups of Free Products
Let $G=A\ast \mathbb{Z}$ be the free product of a group $A$ and the cyclic group $\mathbb{Z}$ and suppose $K$ is a subgroup of $G$. By Kurosh Subgroup Theorem we know that $K=F\ast (\ast_{i\in I}(K\...
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A question on the fundamental group of a compact orientable surface of genus >1
Let $G=\pi(X,x)$ be the fundamental group of a compact orientable
surface of genus $g\ge 2$. It is well known that a presentation of
$G$ is
$$G=\langle x_1,y_1,\dots,x_g,y_g \ | \ [x_1,y_1]\cdots
[x_g,...
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Is there a name of semidirect product of a group with its automorphism group?
Consider the construction $G \rtimes \text{Aut}(G)$. Here $
G$ is a group, $\text{Aut}(G)$ is the automorphism group and the semidirect product is over the most obvious action.
1) Is there any name ...
- 35.9k
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Nielsen-Schreier with operations
The Nielsen-Schreier theorem states that subgroups of a free subgroup are free.
Is this hold also for groups with operations?
Explicitly, let $G$ be a fixed group. Let $F$ be a group with $G$-action ...
- 18.4k
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Equivalence of surjections from a surface group to a free group
Let $g \geq 2$. Let $S = \langle a_1,b_2,...,a_g,b_g | [a_1,b_1] \cdots [a_g,b_g] \rangle$ be the fundamental group of a genus $g$ surface and let $F_g$ be a free group with $g$ generators. Given ...
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What is a geodesic in Outer space?
The Culler-Vogtmann Outer space $\text{CV}_n$ is an analogue of Teichmuller space for the group $\text{Out}(F_n)$.
Is there any notion of a geodesic path in $\text{CV}_n$? Are there different ...
- 5,407
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Database subgroups of free group
Is there some database that contains "all" low-index normal subgroups of the free group on two generators?
Extension: does there exist such a GAP-database?
Thank you!
- 37.4k
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Localizations of group algebras of free groups
$\newcommand{\QQ}{\Bbb Q}$
Let $G$ be a free group on the symbols $x_1, \dots, x_n$, with $\QQ[G]$ its rational group algebra.
Write $\varepsilon: \QQ[G] \to \QQ$ for the augmentation, and for $\...
- 52.6k
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Dense abstract free subgroups in a free profinite group
Let $\langle a, b \rangle = F_2$ be a two-generator free group and $\hat{F_2}$ be its profinite completion. Is there an element $c\in \hat{F_2}$ such that $\langle a, b, c\rangle \le \hat{F_2}$ is ...
- 63.9k
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$\operatorname{Out}(F_n)$ is not linear for $n > 3$
The paper The Tits alternative for $\operatorname{Out}(F_n)$ I by Bestvina, Feighn and Handel and the paper Automorphisms of free groups and Outer space by Vogtmann both state that $\operatorname{Aut}(...
CommunityBot
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The Tits alternative for $\operatorname{Out}(F_n)$
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, but the paper I am reading seems to be too specialised for mathstack (if you do not agree, pleas let me know and I will take down this question)
I am ...
CommunityBot
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Equations in free groups satisfying all elements
please help me to solve the following problem.
Let $F$ be a non-abelian free group and $w(x)=1$ be an equation in one variable $x$ ($w(x)$ may contain elements of $F$ as constants). Clearly, one can ...
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An algorithm determining whether two subgroups of a finitely generated free group are automorphic
In the book Lyndon, Schupp, Combinatorial Group Theory, P.30 in the edition from 2000 They mention an unpublished work by Waldhausen that is said to give an algorithm to determine whether two ...
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Relation between commutator length and stable commutator length in free groups
In Bardakov, Algebra and Logic, Vol. 39, No. 4, 2000 I have found the following (page 225, see https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02681648)
We pronounce tile validity of the following:
...
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An endomorphism of free groups
So you have a free group $F_n$, freely generated by $\alpha_1 \cdots \alpha_n$. Pick any $n$ elements $g_1 \cdots g_n$ and define an endomorphism $\psi$ of $F_n$ by $\psi(\alpha_i) = g_i^{-1}\...
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Is a matrix group free?
Let two matrices $P = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 0 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \end{pmatrix}$ and $S = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ -1 & 1 & 1 \...
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"Bisecting" a free subgroup with respect to word length
My broad question is regarding the lengths of (reduced) words in a subgroup of a free group.
As motivation, consider the free group $Gp(S)$ where $|S|=n$, that is, a free group of rank $n$. Let $S=\{...
- 148k
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growth of a free group automorphism is same for finite index subgroups?
Let $X=\{x_1,\dots,x_N\}$ and $F=F(X)$ be a free group generated by $X$. Let $\phi\colon F\to F$ be an automorphism of $F$. Define a growth function of $\phi$ as:
$$
\operatorname{gr}_{\phi,X}(n)=\...
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Maximal power in a sequence of iterated commutators in the rank two free group
I have the following problem: in the free group $F_2=\langle a,b\rangle$, we define the sequence
$\begin{cases}
w_0=a, \\
w_1=b, \\
w_{n+2}=[w_{n+1},w_{n}] & \text{for }n\ge 0.
\end{cases}$
So $...
- 1,317
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1
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Detecting/Characterising positive elements in free groups
Let $X$ be a set, and let $F(X)$ be the free group generated by $X$.
I will say that an element of $F(X)$ is positive if it is in the monoid generated by all the conjugates in $F(X)$ of every member ...
- 24.2k