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Discriminating groups: a comprehensive overview

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2011

Benjamin Fine
Affiliation:
Fairfield University
Anthony M. Gaglione
Affiliation:
U.S. Naval Academy
Alexei Myasnikov
Affiliation:
McGill University
Gerhard Rosenberger
Affiliation:
University of Dortmund
Dennis Spellman
Affiliation:
Fairfield University
C. M. Campbell
Affiliation:
University of St Andrews, Scotland
M. R. Quick
Affiliation:
University of St Andrews, Scotland
E. F. Robertson
Affiliation:
University of St Andrews, Scotland
C. M. Roney-Dougal
Affiliation:
University of St Andrews, Scotland
G. C. Smith
Affiliation:
University of Bath
G. Traustason
Affiliation:
University of Bath
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Summary

Abstract

Discriminating groups were introduced by Baumslag, Myasnikov and Remeslennikov as an outgrowth of their theory of algebraic geometry over groups. Algebraic geometry over groups was the main method of attack used by Kharlampovich and Myasnikov in their solution of the celebrated Tarski conjectures. The class of discriminating groups, however, has taken on a life of its own and has been an object of a considerable amount of study. In this paper we survey the large array of results concerning the class of discriminating groups that have been developed over the past decade.

Introduction

Discriminating groups were introduced by Baumslag, Myasnikov and Remeslennikov as an outgrowth of their theory of algebraic geometry over groups. Algebraic geometry over groups was the main method of attack used by O. Kharlampovich and A. Myasnikov in their solution of the celebrated Tarski conjectures. The class of discriminating groups, however, has taken on a life of its own and has been an object of a considerable amount of study. In this paper we survey the large array of results concerning the class of discriminating groups that have been developed over the past decade.

In Section 1, we define discrimination for groups and describe its ties to other areas. Also the concept of trivially discriminating (TD) groups is introduced, and the concept of squarelike groups is defined. It is also indicated how to define discrimination for arbitrary algebraic systems. It is also shown how to generalize the concept of squarelike to arbitrary algebras.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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