Monthly Archives: September 2019

2019-14 Residual finite groups

A group \(G\) is called residually finite if for any nontrivial element \(g\) of \(G\), there exists a finite group \(K\) and a surjective homomorphism \(\rho: G \to K\) such that \(\rho(g)\) is a nontrivial element of \(K\).

Suppose \(G\) is a finitely generated residually finite group. Show that any surjective homomorphism from \(G\) to itself is an isomorphism.

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Solution: 2019-12 Groups generated by two homeomorphisms of the real line

Let \(I, J\) be connected open intervals such that \(I \cap J\) is a nonempty proper sub-interval of both \(I\) and\(J\). For instance, \(I = (0, 2)\) and \(J = (1, 3)\) form an example.

Let \(f\) (\(g\), resp.) be an orientation-preserving homeomorphism of the real line \(\mathbb{R}\) such that the set of points of \(\mathbb{R}\) which are not fixed by \(f\) (\(g\), resp.) is precisely \(I\) (\(J\), resp.).

Show that for large enough integer \(n\), the group generated by \(f^n, g^n\) is isomorphic to the group with the following presentation

\[ <a, b | [ab^{-1}, a^{-1}ba] = [ab^{-1}, a^{-2}ba^2] = id>. \]

The best solution was submitted by 김동률 (수리과학과 2015학번). Congratulations!

Here is his solution of problem 2019-12.

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Solution: 2019-13 Property R

Let \( A_{a, b} = \{ (x, y) \in \mathbb{Z}^2 : 1 \leq x \leq a, 1 \leq y \leq b \} \). Consider the following property, which we call Property R:

“If each of the points in \(A\) is colored red, blue, or yellow, then there is a rectangle whose sides are parallel to the axes and vertices have the same color.”

Find the maximum of \(|A_{a, b}|\) such that \( A_{a, b} \) has Property R but \( A_{a-1, b} \) and \( A_{a, b-1} \) do not.

The best solution was submitted by 하석민 (수리과학과 2017학번). Congratulations!

Here is his solution of problem 2019-13.

An incorrect solution was received. Late solutions are not graded.

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2019-13 Property R

Let \( A_{a, b} = \{ (x, y) \in \mathbb{Z}^2 : 1 \leq x \leq a, 1 \leq y \leq b \} \). Consider the following property, which we call Property R:

“If each of the points in \(A\) is colored red, blue, or yellow, then there is a rectangle whose sides are parallel to the axes and vertices have the same color.”

Find the maximum of \(|A_{a, b}|\) such that \( A_{a, b} \) has Property R but \( A_{a-1, b} \) and \( A_{a, b-1} \) do not.

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Notices

1. There will be no POW this week due to 추석 (thanksgiving) break. POW will resume next week.

2. The submission due for POW2019-12 is extended to Sep. 18 (Wed.).

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2019-12 Groups generated by two homeomorphisms of the real line

Let \(I, J\) be connected open intervals such that \(I \cap J\) is a nonempty proper sub-interval of both \(I\) and\(J\). For instance, \(I = (0, 2)\) and \(J = (1, 3)\) form an example.

Let \(f\) (\(g\), resp.) be an orientation-preserving homeomorphism of the real line \(\mathbb{R}\) such that the set of points of \(\mathbb{R}\) which are not fixed by \(f\) (\(g\), resp.) is precisely \(I\) (\(J\), resp.).

Show that for large enough integer \(n\), the group generated by \(f^n, g^n\) is isomorphic to the group with the following presentation

\[ <a, b | [ab^{-1}, a^{-1}ba] = [ab^{-1}, a^{-2}ba^2] = id>. \]

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