Questions tagged [free-groups]
The free-groups tag has no usage guidance.
206 questions
2
votes
0
answers
149
views
Concentration of Reduced words
This might be a rather broad question, and I'll be satisfied with some intuition and pointers to relevant literature. However, I'll certainly fill in more context and details based on any feedback.
...
- 949
4
votes
1
answer
447
views
Finite index subgroups of a RAAG
Let $G$ be the group given by the presentation
$$\langle x,y,z,w \ | \ xy = yx, yz = zy, zw = wz\rangle.$$
This is a right-angled Artin group (RAAG) whose graph is a path on $4$ vertices.
We can ...
- 4,713
3
votes
2
answers
700
views
Subgroup of a free group that is characteristic but not totally characteristic
Looking for a counter example (if it exists) and a reference for further reading. Can there be a subgroup of finite index in a finitely generated free group that is characteristic but not totally ...
- 331
7
votes
0
answers
200
views
Structure constants of Lyndon-Shirshov basis of the free Lie ring
Let $X$ be an alphabet, ${\sf Lyn}$ be the set of Lyndon words on $X$ and $L$ be the free Lie ring on $X.$ For $w\in {\sf Lyn}$ we denote by $[w]$ the corresponding element of the Lyndon-Shirshov ...
- 1,484
2
votes
0
answers
86
views
Automorphisms of a free topological product
Let $G$, $G_1$, $G_2$ be Hausdorff topological groups. I am mainly interested in the case when those groups are profinite.
Let $G$ act continuously on $G_1$ and $G_2$ via continuous automorphisms, i.e....
- 381
5
votes
0
answers
117
views
Do the "Nielsen" IA-automorphisms of a profinite free group $\widehat{F}$ of rank 2 form a normal subgroup of $\mathrm{Aut}(\widehat{F})$?
Let $F$ be the discrete free group of rank 2, and let $\widehat{F}$ be its profinite completion, equipped with an embedding
$$i : F\hookrightarrow\widehat{F}$$
By a result of Asada, this embedding ...
- 10.7k
11
votes
1
answer
964
views
Normal closures of finitely generated subgroups of a free group
Is it true that for every finitelty generated subgroup $H$ of infinite index in a free
group $F$ on the two letters $\{x,y\}$, there exists a finite index
subgroup $K$ of $H$, such that the normal ...
- 25k
13
votes
2
answers
515
views
Free groups and free restricted Lie algebras
If $G$ is any group and $\gamma_k(G)$ denotes the $k$th term in the lower central series of $G$, then the commutator bracket on $G$ endows
$$\mathcal{L}(G) = \bigoplus_{k=1}^{\infty} \gamma_k(G) / \...
- 33.8k
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is there a useful limit or co-limit of a diagram that has only a single object?
I'm starting to study category theory kind of informally and everytime I read about the definitions of limits and co-limits, the first three examples are always the same:
terminal/initial objects,
...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
101
views
Under what condition can any $X\in GL_2(R)$ be reduced to a triangular matrix?
Suppose $R$ is a (possibly noncommutative) ring. I was thinking of $R=S[x_1,\ldots,x_n]$ or $R=S[x_1,x_1^{-1},\ldots,x_n,x_n^{-1}]$ for $S$ some (possibly noncommutative) ring. Now, let $GL_2(R)$ be ...
CommunityBot
- 1
3
votes
2
answers
287
views
Free subgroup of a quotient
Let $F$ be a free group on $x,y,z$. Fix $n>1$ (I am ready to assume that $n$ is large enough). Let $\mathcal{W}$ be the set of cyclically reduced words $w$ in $F$ where the letter $z$ appears at ...
- 63.9k
0
votes
0
answers
105
views
specific qi on free groups
Let $F_n$ be the free group on $n$ generators, $n>1$.
If $\phi$ is a quasi-isometry (or a bijective bilipschitz equivalence) on $F_n$, then what can we say about the explicit form of $\phi$?
In ...
- 1,528
5
votes
0
answers
371
views
free subgroups of $SL_2(\mathbb{Z[i]})$
The group $SL_2(\mathbb{Z})$ contains many free subgroups, for example all of the principal congruence subgroups for $n\geq 3$ and the subgroup $\left\langle \left(\begin{array}{cc}
1 & 2\\
0 &...
- 253
5
votes
2
answers
457
views
Is the mapping torus of an automorphism of a free group virtually an amalgamated product?
Let $F$ be a nonabelian finitely generated free group,
let $\tau \in \mathrm{Aut}(F)$ be an element of infinite order,
and set $G = F \rtimes \mathbb{Z}$,
where the action of $\mathbb{Z}$ on $F$ is ...
- 11.3k
11
votes
1
answer
2k
views
The set of subgroups of $F_2$
This question came up in our algebraic topology class and our Professor didn't know the answer. I also couldn't find an answer so far.
What is the cardinality of the set of subgroups of $F_2$?
...
- 3,911
16
votes
1
answer
918
views
Explicit path in the unitary group of a $C^*$-algebra
For $G$ a discrete group, there is a canonical inclusion $g\mapsto u_g$ of $G$ into the unitary group of the reduced $C^*$-algebra $C^*_r(G)$. Denote by $[u_g]$ the class of $u_g$ in the (topological) ...
- 60.5k
6
votes
2
answers
232
views
Finding an "optimal" quotient in a free group
Consider the abelian free group $G = \mathbf{Z}^n$ of rank $n$ and a finite subset $A \subset G \setminus \{0\}$. Since $G$ is residually finite, there is a subgroup $H \subset G$ such that $A \cap H =...
- 25.5k
5
votes
1
answer
400
views
finitely presented subgroup and free solvable group of class 3
Let $F(n)$ be free group of rank $n\geq 2$. Denote by $F_d(n)$ the d-th derived subgroup, that is $F_d(n)=[F_{d-1}(n),F_{d-1}(n)]$ where $F_0(n)=F(n)$. The free solvable group of rank $n$ and ...
- 63.9k
3
votes
1
answer
295
views
Wild automorphisms of profinite groups
Is there a profinite group $G$, a continuous automorphism $\alpha$ of
$G$ and a topologically finitely generated closed subgroup $H \leq G$
such that $\alpha(H) \lneq H$ ?
Note that if an example ...
CommunityBot
- 1
4
votes
1
answer
151
views
Genericity of irreducible automorphisms of free groups
I have seen in the literature that Irreducible outer automorphisms of a free group $F_n$ are "generic".
I would like to ask that if for example : it is true that for any generating set $X$ of $Out(...
- 96.4k
2
votes
0
answers
90
views
Fully residually free groups and completion
Let $G$ be a fully residually free group with a finitely generated profinite completion. Is $G$ necessarily finitely generated?
- 11.3k
6
votes
0
answers
245
views
Wild automorphisms of a free group
Let $F_X$ be a free group on a countably infinite set $X$. Let $\alpha$ be an automorphism of $F_X$ and $H$ a closed subgroup of $F_X$ in the profinite topology.
Is it possible that $\alpha(H) \...
- 11.3k
2
votes
0
answers
147
views
Rank gradient in free products amalgamating a finite subgroup
Let $A,B$ be finitely generated groups with a common finite subgroup $C$. Suppose that $[A : C] > 2, [B : C] > 1$.
Must $A *_C B$ have positive rank gradient?
See Which 3-manifolds have ...
CommunityBot
- 1
9
votes
3
answers
392
views
Integer matrix that does not belong to a free group of rank 2
I'm given two matrices in $SL_2(\mathbb{Z})$
$$
A = \left(\begin{array}{cc}
2 & 3\\
3 & 5
\end{array}\right), \ \
B = \left(\begin{array}{cc}
5 & 3\\
3 &...
- 1,281
2
votes
0
answers
124
views
Salvaging Howson's theorem for free profinite groups
This is an attempt to find a correct version of Do free profinite groups satisfy Howson's theorem?
Let $F$ be a free profinite group, and let $A,B \leq F$ be closed finitely generated subgroups ...
CommunityBot
- 1
4
votes
0
answers
172
views
Example of "exotic" verbal subgroups of free groups
This will be an ambiguous question.
I am interested in various examples that appear in the literature of verbal subgroups of free groups, but which are not part of the "classical examples" like ...
- 647
9
votes
1
answer
327
views
Automorphism groups for free groups with action
Let $A$ be a (finitely generated) free group and $G$ be a (finitely generated) free $A$-group - that is, a group with an action of $A$, which is free in the category of groups with an $A$-action. ...
- 742
4
votes
2
answers
425
views
On the Magnus Representation of Free Metabelian Group
Let $F=\langle x_1,x_2\rangle$ be a free group of rank $2$ and $\Phi=F/F''=\langle \overline{x}_1, \overline{x}_2\rangle$ where $F''$ is second derived subgroup of $F$ (i.e. $F'=[F,F]$ and $F''=[F',F']...
- 63.9k
3
votes
0
answers
216
views
pro-p dense subgroup in the free group
Let $G_p$ be pseudovariety of all finite $p$-group. The pro-$p$ topology on a group $G$ is the unique group topology such that the set of normal subgroups $N$ with $G/N$ in $G_p$ is a fundamental ...
- 38.6k
13
votes
1
answer
543
views
Number of trivializations of a trivial word in the free group
Let $M$ be the free monoid on $2n$ generators $x_1,X_1,...,x_n,X_n$ and consider the set $T$ of all those elements of $M$ which map to 1 of the free group on $x_1,...,x_n$ under the homomorphism $\pi$ ...
CommunityBot
- 1
6
votes
0
answers
369
views
Primitive elements in a free group
Let $F$ be a free group of rank $\aleph_0$ and let $H$ be a subgroup for which there exists some $a \in F$ such that $\langle H \cup \{a\} \rangle = F$. Must there be some free basis $B$ for $F$ and a ...
- 15.4k
0
votes
1
answer
193
views
Must a group of defficiency > 1 be nonabelian?
Let $F$ be a free group of finite rank $n > 2$, and let $S \subseteq F$ be a subset of cardinality at most $n-2$. Denote by $S^F$ the normal subgroup of $F$ generated by $S$. Must $F/S^F$ be ...
CommunityBot
- 1
55
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Do unit quaternions at vertices of a regular 4-simplex, one being 1, generate a free group?
Choose unit quaternions $q_0, q_1, q_2, q_3, q_4$ that form the vertices of a regular 4-simplex in the quaternions. Assume $q_0 = 1$. Let the other four generate a group via quaternion ...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
117
views
Generating free groups by small subgroups and an element
Let $F$ be a free group of countably infinite rank, and let $L \leq F$ be a finite index subgroup. For some prime $p$ and $k \in \mathbb{N}$, let $\sigma \colon L \to \mathrm{GL}_k(\mathbb{Z}/p\mathbb{...
- 11.3k
11
votes
2
answers
778
views
History of Tarski's problems on free groups
As is known, Tarski posed his questions about first-order theories of non-abelian free groups around 1945. However, the questions were not published in his papers or books.
What is the original ...
- 39.8k
2
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Magnus' embedding theorem
I am looking for a (preferably modern) reference to the following old result of Magnus.
Let $F$ be a free group of finite rank and
$$ F_1 = [F,F], F_2 = [F_1,F_1], \dots , F_{n+1} = [F_n,F_n], \dots ...
- 63.9k
3
votes
1
answer
173
views
What is the corank of a proper char subgroup of a finite index subgroup of a free group?
Let $F$ be the free group of rank $\aleph_0$, let $L \leq F$ be a finite index subgroup, and let $M$ be a proper characteristic subgroup of $L$. Is it possible that there exists a finite subset $S \...
CommunityBot
- 1
3
votes
1
answer
145
views
Thickening graphs to get honest actions
Let $X$ be a finite graph. Its fundamental group is the free group $F_n$ on (say) $n$ generators. Let further an automorphism $\phi$ of $F_n$ be given.
It is not true in general that this ...
- 10.1k
2
votes
1
answer
153
views
Collections in direct products and freeness
I am looking for references about the following type of questions:
Let $G$ and $H$ be two groups,
let $(g_i:i\in I)\subset G$ and $(h_i:i\in I)\subset H$ be collections of group elements,
and ...
- 63.9k
8
votes
1
answer
350
views
Products of subgroups of a free group
Let $F$ be a free group, and let $A,B \leq F$ be two subgroups such that $AB$ contains a nontrivial normal subgroup of $F$. Must either $A$ or $B$ contain a nontrivial normal subgroup of $F$?
What if ...
- 3,181
23
votes
1
answer
1k
views
products of conjugates in free groups
While trying to carry out some technical arguments in free groups, I have encountered the following problem, to which I don't know the answer.
Let $F$ be a free group and let $g,a_1,\ldots,a_n \in F$....
- 25.5k
18
votes
0
answers
477
views
Linear groups which don't contain products of free groups
Let $G \subset GL(n, \Bbb Z)$ be a f.g. linear group. The Tits alternative says that $G$ is either virtually solvable (i.e. has a solvable subgroup of finite index), or contains a free group $F_2$. ...
- 17k
6
votes
1
answer
431
views
Do free profinite groups satisfy Howson's theorem?
Let $F$ be a free profinite group, and let $A,B \leq F$ be finitely generated closed subgroups. Must $A \cap B$ be finitely generated?
- 1,418
1
vote
0
answers
120
views
Free profinite products
Let $F$ be a nonabelian finitely generated free profinite group, and let $x \in F$. Must there be some $1 \neq y \in F$ such that $\langle x,y \rangle$ is isomorphic to the free profinite product of $\...
- 11.3k
4
votes
0
answers
240
views
Is a finitely generated subgroup of a free profinite group virtually a retract?
Let $F$ be a nonabelian finitely generated free profinite group, and let $H \leq F$ be a finitely generated closed subgroup. Must there be some open subgroup $H \leq U \leq F$, and a closed normal ...
- 2,371
3
votes
0
answers
104
views
Geometric automorphism of free group respect to nonorientable suface
An outer automorphism $[ϕ]\in Out(F_n)$ is geometric if it is induced by a surface homeomorphism h:M→M, where M is a compact surface with nonempty boundary. I am wondering is it enough we only ...
- 1,598
20
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Categorical proof subgroups of free groups are free?
This is a crossport of this question from MSE.
Is there a categorical proof that subgroups of free groups are free?
How about the result that subgroups of free abelian groups are free abelian?
What ...
CommunityBot
- 1
8
votes
2
answers
295
views
Is the free abstract group residually of rank d > 2?
Let $d \geq 2$ be an integer, and let $\mathcal{F}_d$ be the family of finite groups such that $G \in \mathcal{F}_d$ if and only if every subgroup of $G$ can be generated by at most $d$ elements.
Is ...
- 9,720
2
votes
0
answers
133
views
Equalizer in Free groups
Let $F_n$ be the free group generated by $x_1,\cdots,x_n$ and for each $1\leq i\leq n$, let a homomorphism $d_i:F_n\to F_{n-1}$ be defined as follows:
$d_i(x_r)=x_r$, if $i>r$;
$d_i(x_r)=1$, if $i=...
- 1,108
3
votes
1
answer
260
views
Schreier's formula and supersolvable groups
A finitely generated profinite group $G$ is said to satisfy Schreier's formula if for every open subgroup $L \leq_o G$ we have $d(L) = (d(G)-1)[G:L] + 1$. Here $d$ stands for the smallest cardinality ...
- 38.6k