Questions tagged [nilpotent-groups]
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82
questions
25
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Is every $p$-group the $\mathbb{F}_p$-points of a unipotent group
Let $\Gamma$ be a finite group of order $p^n$. Is there necessarily a unipotent algebraic group $G$ of dimension $n$, defined over $\mathbb{F}_p$, with $\Gamma \cong G(\mathbb{F}_p)$?
I have no real ...
24
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Nilpotency of a group by looking at orders of elements
For any finite group $G$, let
$$\theta(G) := \sum_{g \in G} \frac{o(g)}{\phi(o(g))},$$
where $o(g)$ denotes the order of the element $g$ in $G$, and where $\phi$ is the Euler totient function.
It is ...
15
votes
1
answer
638
views
Linear embeddings of nilpotent pro-$p$ groups
Is it true that every finitely generated (topologically) torsion-free nilpotent pro-$p$ group is isomorphic to a subgroup of $U_d(\mathbb{Z}_p)$, the group of $d\times d$-upper triangular matrices ...
14
votes
3
answers
1k
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Explicit formulas for Carnot-Carathéodory distances on Carnot groups
Let $G$ be a Carnot group (aka stratified group), so that $G$ is a connected and simply connected finite-dimensonal Lie group, whose Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ admits a decomposition $\mathfrak{g} = ...
13
votes
1
answer
439
views
Variety of nilpotent Lie algebras or $p$-groups
Here's a couple of analogous questions, one in terms of finite-dimensional complex Lie algebras and one in terms of finite $p$-groups; I'd be interested in an answer to either:
1) Let $\mathcal{L}$ ...
13
votes
1
answer
725
views
Characteristic subgroup of nilpotent group that is not invariant under powering
I want an example of a nilpotent group $G$, a characteristic subgroup $H$, and a prime number $p$ such that:
$G$ is $p$-powered, i.e., every element of $G$ has a unique $p^{th}$ root in $G$.
$H$ is ...
12
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Finite index subgroup with free abelianization
This question has been asked on MathExchange to no avail.
Suppose $G$ is a finitely generated nilpotent group with abelianization of rank $r$. Does $G$ always have a subgroup $H$ of finite index, ...
12
votes
1
answer
2k
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Some questions about the Malcev completion
Let $G$ be an abstract group. The Malcev completion $\widehat{G}$ of $G$ (over $\mathbb{Q}$) is the set of group-like elements in the complete Hopf algebra $\widehat{\mathbb{Q}[G]} = \lim_n \mathbb{Q}...
11
votes
2
answers
718
views
Quasi-isometric rigidity of Nil
Let $Nil$ be the unique simply connected non-abelian three-dimensional nilpotent Lie group, i.e. the group of upper triangular matrices with all the eigenvalues equal to 1 (this group is also known as ...
11
votes
0
answers
248
views
Can the orbit with respect to a rotation on the torus hit an algebraic variety infinitely often?
Question: Does there exist a $d$-tuple $\alpha = (\alpha_1,\dots,\alpha_d) \in \mathbb{R}^d$ (with $1,\alpha_1, \dots,\alpha_d$ linearly independent over $\mathbb{Q}$) and an algebraic variety $V \...
10
votes
1
answer
544
views
Can automorphism equivalence in a free group be detected in a nilpotent quotient?
If $G$ is a group and $g_1, g_2 \in G$ let us write $g_1 \sim g_2$ if there is an automorphism $\alpha \in \operatorname{Aut}(G)$ such that $g_1^\alpha = g_2$.
Let $F = F_2$ be the free group on two ...
9
votes
2
answers
228
views
Residual finiteness for modules over group rings
Let $G$ be a finitely generated residually finite group and let $M$ be a finitely generated $\mathbb{Z}[G]$-module.
Question: Must $M$ be residually finite in the sense that for all nonzero $x \in M$, ...
9
votes
1
answer
599
views
What is the simplest known finite presentation of a free nilpotent group?
Finitely generated nilpotent groups are always finitely presented. This is true for abelian groups, and can be shown by induction for nilpotent ones, using the classical lift of a presentation of $N$ ...
9
votes
0
answers
425
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(Torsion in) homology of free nilpotent groups
It is known that for free $k$-step nilpotent group on $r$ generators $N(r, k)$ its integral homology is torsion-free in degrees $\leq 3$ (obvious for 1 and 2, Igusa&Orr computations for 3). ...
8
votes
1
answer
832
views
Largest possible order of a nilpotent permutation group?
I'm trying to obtain a bound for the order of some finite groups, and part of it comes down to the order of a permutation group of degree $n$ that is nilpotent. I imagine these have to be much ...
7
votes
5
answers
3k
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Nilpotent group with ascending and descending central series different?
This may turn out to be a bit embarassing, but here it is. It is probably not true that the ascending and descending central series (*) of a nilpotent group have the same terms. (Or at least one of ...
7
votes
2
answers
844
views
Quotients of finitely generated nilpotent groups
Is the following fact true?
Let $N$ be a finitely generated nilpotent group, and denote its lower central series by $(N_r)_{r\ge 1}$, that is, $N_1=N$ and $N_{k+1}=[N,N_k]$ is the ...
7
votes
1
answer
269
views
Lower central series vs torsion-free lower central series
$\newcommand\tf{\text{tf}}\newcommand\tor{\text{tor}}$Let $G$ be a finitely generated group. Let $\gamma_k(G)$ denote the $k$th term in the lower central series for $G$, so $\gamma_1(G) = G$ and $\...
7
votes
1
answer
173
views
Universal enveloping algebra of Malcev Lie algebra associated to nilpotent group
Let $G$ be a finitely generated torsion-free nilpotent group. The Malcev completion of $G$ is a nilpotent Lie group $N$ into which $G$ embeds as a lattice. One way to construct this is to take the ...
7
votes
1
answer
244
views
Subgroups of Nilpotent groups with prescribed center
Let $G$ be a torsion-free, finitely-generated, nilpotent group of nilpotency class at least 3. Does there exist a normal subgroup
$N\leq G$ such that $G/N\cong \mathbb{Z}$ and $Z(G)=Z(N)$? (By $Z(H)...
7
votes
0
answers
167
views
Growth of spheres in FINITE nilpotent groups - Gaussian approximation (central limit theorem)?
Standard setup. Consider a group and choose generators. Word-metric (or in the other words - distance on the Cayley graph of the group+generators) - converts a group into a metric space, which is ...
7
votes
0
answers
420
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Reconstructing a nilpotent Lie algebra from its cohomology with $A_{\infty}$-structure
Let $L$ be a nilpotent Lie algebra (over a field of char 0) and $CE^{\bullet}(L)$ be its Chevalley-Eilenberg dg-algebra. By homotopy transfer, there exists a structure of an $A_{\infty}$-algebra on ...
7
votes
0
answers
1k
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Computational complexity of multiplication in a nilpotent group?
What is the computational complexity of multiplication in a Carnot group ?
Background: A Carnot group is a real nilpotent Lie group $N$ whose Lie algebra $Lie(N)$ admits a direct sum decomposition
...
6
votes
1
answer
225
views
Do lattices of small co-volume always exist in rational, connected, simply connected, nilpotent Lie groups?
Given a connected, simply connected, rational, nilpotent Lie group $G$, is there a lattice of arbitrarily small co-volume in $G$? If $G$ is Carnot, the answer is "yes" by applying a ...
6
votes
1
answer
568
views
Why do we say the Fitting subgroup/generalized Fitting subgroup control the structure of a group?
I’m learning the Fitting subgroup these days. I’m interested in this topic and particularly in the role that it plays in the structure of groups. Many people on MSE mentioned that the Fitting subgroup/...
6
votes
1
answer
234
views
Betti numbers and lower central series quotients of finite-index subgroups of nilpotent groups
Let $G$ be a finitely generated nilpotent group and let $A\le G$ be a finite-index subgroup. I have two questions about $A$:
Is it true that the inclusion map $A \rightarrow G$ induces isomorphisms $...
6
votes
1
answer
227
views
When is a nilpotent Lie algebra isomorphic to the associated graded of its lower central series?
All Lie algebras in this question are finite-dimensional and defined over a field $k$ of characteristic $0$ which I'm happy to take to be $\mathbb{R}$ or $\mathbb{C}$.
$\DeclareMathOperator\gr{gr}$Let ...
5
votes
2
answers
491
views
Maximal $p$-subgroups in nilpotent groups
By using Zorn's Lemma one can establish the existence of maximal $p$-subgroups in any group, even infinite. Using this existence, exactly as in the finite case, it is easy to show that in a nilpotent ...
5
votes
1
answer
218
views
Finite solvable groups are generated by a nilpotent subgroup + K elements?
Is there a constant $K \in \mathbb{N}$ such that for every finite solvable group $G$, there exists a nilpotent subgroup $N \leq G$, and a subset $S \subseteq G$ with $|S| \leq K$, and $\langle N,S\...
5
votes
2
answers
922
views
Malcev's paper "On a class of homogeneous spaces" in English
I am struggling to find the English translation of Malcev's paper "On a class of homogenous spaces" providing foundational material for nil-manifolds. To be precise this paper: Malcev, A. I. On a ...
5
votes
1
answer
207
views
Local vs global nilpotence class (Lazard correspondence)
The Lazard Correspondence is often phrased (for simplicity) for $p$-groups of nilpotence class $c < p$, but it works more generally whenever every 3-generated subgroup has nilpotence class $< p$,...
5
votes
1
answer
169
views
Example of an invariant metric on a nilpotent group which is not asymptotically geodesic
Let $X$ be a metric space. We say that $X$ is asymptotically geodesic if for all $\epsilon > 0$, there exists $R > 0$ such that, for all $x,y \in X$, there exists some finite sequence of points $...
5
votes
1
answer
249
views
Harmonic analysis on nilpotent Lie groups and the Campbell-Hausdorff formula
I am trying to understand the non-commutative analysis for nilpotent Lie groups, so I've been reading Corwin's and Greenleaf's book on the representation theory of nilpotent groups and going through ...
5
votes
0
answers
344
views
Adjoint identity on finite nilpotent groups
Let $G$ be a finite nilpotent group. Consider the following (adjoint) identity from [BuPa, Theorem 9.6]:
$$\left(\prod_{\chi \in \mathrm{Irr}(G)} \frac{\chi}{\chi(1)} \right)^2 =\frac{|Z(G)|}{|G|}\...
5
votes
0
answers
151
views
Finitely generated nilpotent groups with hyperbolic automorphisms
$\DeclareMathOperator\Out{Out}\DeclareMathOperator\GL{GL}$
Let $G$ be a finitely generated nilpotent group.
We call an automorphism of $G$ hyperbolic if the induced automorphism of the free part of ...
5
votes
0
answers
170
views
Finitely generated nilpotent groups as cusp groups
I recently learned about the following question, asked by I. Kapovich :
Is there an example of a group $G$ which is hyperbolic relative to some parabolic subgroups that are nilpotent of class $\geq 3$...
5
votes
0
answers
122
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Regularity of polynomial growth of groups
Let $G$ be a finitely generated group of polynomial growth. This means that the size $B_n$ of the ball of radius $n$ satsifies:
$$
A n^d \leq B_n \leq Bn^d
$$
for some constants $A$, $B$.
My question ...
4
votes
1
answer
320
views
Nilpotent of class 2 free product
Question. How is the nilpotent of class 2 (nil-2) free product of groups defined?
I came across this construction reading the following paper.
Alan H. Mekler (1981), Stability of nilpotent groups of ...
4
votes
1
answer
790
views
On Canonical generators of torsion free nilpotent group
I read somewhere that Maltcev proved that for any finitely generated torsion free Nilpotent group $G$ there are canonical generators, i.e.
$g_{1},\ldots,g_{k}$ such that any $g \in G$ can be written ...
4
votes
0
answers
193
views
A different approach to proving a property of finite solvable groups
Edit: I'd be happy to hear any vague thoughts you might have, however far they may be from a complete solution!
I asked this on math.stackexchange a couple of days ago, but it didn't attract any ...
4
votes
0
answers
132
views
Linear vs algebraic unipotent quotient stacks
Consider algebraic stacks of the form $\mathbb{C}^n/G$ where $G$ is a unipotent group satisfying either
Type 1: $G$ acts on $\mathbb{C}^n$ via affine linear transformations
Type 2: $G$ acts on $\...
4
votes
0
answers
136
views
Order problem in nilpotent groups
Let $G$ be a f.g. nilpotent group. I wanted to know if the order problem (given $g \in G$, deciding if there exists $n$ s.t. $g^n=e$) is decidable in $G$? In such a group, the word problem is ...
3
votes
2
answers
413
views
element of order n such that $\pi(n)=\pi(G)$, where $\pi(n)$ denote the prime divisors of $n$
Hello. I thank for your answer, in advance.
Let $G$ be a finite group and $G$ has an element of order $n$ such that $\pi(n)=\pi(G)$
where $\pi(n)$ denote the set of prime divisors of $n$ and $\pi(G)$ ...
3
votes
2
answers
326
views
Analyzing words in a "free" group of nilpotency class 2
Suppose that we have a group $G$ generated by a set $S$ of elements with the only family of relations being that all commutators are central. Equivalently, $G$ is the largest group of nilpotency ...
3
votes
2
answers
1k
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Are higher dimensional Heisenberg groups free nilpotent?
I know that the Heisenberg group { x,y | [x,[x,y]]=[y,[x,y]]=1 } is free nilpotent; what
about the higher dimensional ones? Do the higer dimensional Heisenberg groups have nice presentations? By ...
3
votes
1
answer
410
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Stable homotopy of classifying space for nilpotent groups
Let $BG$ denote the classifying space of a (discrete) group and $BG_+$ its disjoint union with a point.
Question: What is known about the stable homotopy groups $\pi^S_*(BG_+)$ ?
If $G$ is finite (i....
3
votes
1
answer
113
views
Bounding size of group by number of generators, order of elements, and nilpotency class (Restricted Burnside's)
I have been looking at some papers on the "restricted Burnside problem". On page 4 of Vaughan-Lee and Zelmanov's survey, "Bounds in the restricted Burnside problem", I think they ...
3
votes
1
answer
133
views
Centre of solvable locally nilpotent groups
This question is motivated by two examples of locally nilpotent groups which I came across (see below).
Question: Given an infinite solvable and locally nilpotent group $G$, does $G$ have an infinite ...
3
votes
1
answer
232
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Free Lie algebra and nilpotent groups in Rothschild and Stein's paper
In
Rothschild, Linda Preiss; Stein, Elias M., Hypoelliptic differential operators and nilpotent groups, Acta Math. 137(1976), 247-320 (1977). ZBL0346.35030. PDF at archive.ymsc.tsinghua.edu.cn
...
3
votes
1
answer
397
views
Maximal nilpotent subgroups of SO(n,1)
For the Lie group $SO(n,1)$ I believe the maximal nilpotent subgroups are conjugate to either a diagonal group times a compact group or a unipotent group times a compact group. In either case the ...