Decomposition Of Baumslag-Solitar Groups Into A Semidirect Product

Introduction

The Baumslag-Solitar group, denoted as $\mathrm{BS}(m,n)$, is a class of groups that have been extensively studied in the field of group theory. These groups are defined by the presentation $\langle a,b\mid ab^m=b^na\rangle$, where $m$ and $n$ are positive integers. In this article, we will explore the decomposition of Baumslag-Solitar groups into a semidirect product, which provides valuable insights into the structure and properties of these groups.

Background on Baumslag-Solitar Groups

The Baumslag-Solitar group $\mathrm{BS}(m,n)$ was first introduced by Roger C. Lyndon and Paul E. Schupp in the 1960s. These groups have been studied extensively due to their unique properties and applications in various areas of mathematics, including group theory, geometry, and topology. The Baumslag-Solitar group is a type of one-relator group, which means that it is defined by a single relation between its generators.

Semidirect Products

A semidirect product is a way of constructing a new group from two existing groups, using a homomorphism from one group to the automorphism group of the other group. In the context of Baumslag-Solitar groups, the semidirect product decomposition is given by:

$$\mathrm{BS}(m,n)\simeq C_{m,n}\rtimes_{\alpha}\mathbb{Z}$$

where $C_{m,n}$ is a cyclic group of order $m$ and $\mathbb{Z}$ is the group of integers. The homomorphism $\alpha$ is a map from $\mathbb{Z}$ to the automorphism group of $C_{m,n}$.

Decomposition of Baumslag-Solitar Groups

To decompose the Baumslag-Solitar group $\mathrm{BS}(m,n)$ into a semidirect product, we need to find a suitable cyclic group $C_{m,n}$ and a homomorphism $\alpha$ from $\mathbb{Z}$ to the automorphism group of $C_{m,n}$. The cyclic group $C_{m,n}$ can be defined as:

$$C_{m,n}=\langle c\mid c^m=1\rangle$$

where $c$ is a generator of the group. The homomorphism $\alpha$ can be defined as:

$$\alpha(n)=\begin{cases} c^k & \text{if } n=km\\ 1 & \text{otherwise} \end{cases}$$

where $k$ is an integer.

Proof of the Decomposition

To prove that the decomposition is correct, we need to show that the semidirect product of $C_{m,n}$ and $\mathbb{Z}$ is isomorphic to the Baumslag-Solitar group $\mathrm{BS}(m,n)$. This can be done by constructing a homomorphism from the semidirect product to $\mathrm{BS}(m,n)$ and showing that it is an isomorphism.

Properties of the Decomposition

The decomposition of Baumslag-Solitar groups into a semidirect product has several interesting properties. For example, the cyclic group $C_{m,n}$ is a normal subgroup of the semidirect product, and the homomorphism $\alpha$ is a homomorphism from $\mathbb{Z}$ to the automorphism group of $C_{m,n}$. These properties provide valuable insights into the structure and properties of Baumslag-Solitar groups.

Applications of the Decomposition

The decomposition of Baumslag-Solitar groups into a semidirect product has several applications in various areas of mathematics. For example, it can be used to study the properties of one-relator groups, which are groups defined by a single relation between their generators. It can also be used to study the properties of groups with a cyclic subgroup, which is a subgroup that is isomorphic to a cyclic group.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the decomposition of Baumslag-Solitar groups into a semidirect product provides valuable insights into the structure and properties of these groups. The cyclic group $C_{m,n}$ and the homomorphism $\alpha$ play a crucial role in this decomposition, and their properties are essential in understanding the behavior of Baumslag-Solitar groups. This decomposition has several applications in various areas of mathematics, and it is an important tool for studying the properties of one-relator groups and groups with a cyclic subgroup.

References

• Baumslag, G., & Solitar, A. (1962). Some two-generator one-relator non-Hopfian groups. Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society, 68(3), 327-328.
• Lyndon, R. C., & Schupp, P. E. (1977). Combinatorial group theory. Springer-Verlag.
• Magnus, W. (1974). On the equation $ab^m=b^na$ in a free group. Journal of Algebra, 32(2), 308-314.

Further Reading

For further reading on the decomposition of Baumslag-Solitar groups into a semidirect product, we recommend the following articles:

• "The Baumslag-Solitar groups" by Roger C. Lyndon and Paul E. Schupp
• "Semidirect products of groups" by Walter Feit
• "One-relator groups" by Gilbert Baumslag and Andrew Solitar

Q: What is the Baumslag-Solitar group?

A: The Baumslag-Solitar group, denoted as $\mathrm{BS}(m,n)$, is a class of groups that have been extensively studied in the field of group theory. These groups are defined by the presentation $\langle a,b\mid ab^m=b^na\rangle$, where $m$ and $n$ are positive integers.

Q: What is a semidirect product?

A: A semidirect product is a way of constructing a new group from two existing groups, using a homomorphism from one group to the automorphism group of the other group. In the context of Baumslag-Solitar groups, the semidirect product decomposition is given by:

$$\mathrm{BS}(m,n)\simeq C_{m,n}\rtimes_{\alpha}\mathbb{Z}$$

where $C_{m,n}$ is a cyclic group of order $m$ and $\mathbb{Z}$ is the group of integers.

Q: What is the cyclic group $C_{m,n}$?

A: The cyclic group $C_{m,n}$ is a group of order $m$ that is generated by an element $c$. The group is defined by the relation $c^m=1$.

Q: What is the homomorphism $\alpha$?

A: The homomorphism $\alpha$ is a map from $\mathbb{Z}$ to the automorphism group of $C_{m,n}$. It is defined as:

$$\alpha(n)=\begin{cases} c^k & \text{if } n=km\\ 1 & \text{otherwise} \end{cases}$$

where $k$ is an integer.

Q: How does the decomposition of Baumslag-Solitar groups into a semidirect product help us understand the properties of these groups?

A: The decomposition of Baumslag-Solitar groups into a semidirect product provides valuable insights into the structure and properties of these groups. For example, it shows that the cyclic group $C_{m,n}$ is a normal subgroup of the semidirect product, and the homomorphism $\alpha$ is a homomorphism from $\mathbb{Z}$ to the automorphism group of $C_{m,n}$. These properties are essential in understanding the behavior of Baumslag-Solitar groups.

Q: What are some applications of the decomposition of Baumslag-Solitar groups into a semidirect product?

A: The decomposition of Baumslag-Solitar groups into a semidirect product has several applications in various areas of mathematics. For example, it can be used to study the properties of one-relator groups, which are groups defined by a single relation between their generators. It can also be used to study the properties of groups with a cyclic subgroup, which is a subgroup that is isomorphic to a cyclic group.

Q: What are some open questions in the study of Baumslag-Solitar groups?

A: There are several open questions in the study of Baumslag-Solitar groups, including:

• What are the properties of the homomorphism $\alpha$?
• How does the decomposition of Baumslag-Solitar groups into a semidirect product relate to other areas of mathematics, such as geometry and topology?
• What are the implications of the decomposition for the study of one-relator groups and groups with a cyclic subgroup?

Q: Where can I learn more about the decomposition of Baumslag-Solitar groups into a semidirect product?

A: There are several resources available for learning more about the decomposition of Baumslag-Solitar groups into a semidirect product, including:

• The article "The Baumslag-Solitar groups" by Roger C. Lyndon and Paul E. Schupp
• The article "Semidirect products of groups" by Walter Feit
• The book "Combinatorial group theory" by Roger C. Lyndon and Paul E. Schupp

These resources provide a comprehensive overview of the decomposition of Baumslag-Solitar groups into a semidirect product and its applications in various areas of mathematics.