A just-nonsolvable torsion-free group defined on the binary tree (Q1279814): Difference between revisions

A fascinating example of a 2-generated residually finite torsion free just-non-solvable group is constructed (just-non-solvable means that every proper quotient is solvable). The group is a subgroup of the group of finite state automorphisms of the rooted binary tree and its construction is along the lines of the famous Grigorchuk and Gupta-Sidki constructions of residually finite torsion groups. The group constructed in the paper enjoys other residual properties: it is residually a 2-group, residually a torsion free solvable group. The fact that the conjugacy problem is solvable for this group is proved. The group admits a very simple recursive presentation in two generators and two relations which are iterated under a certain simple substitution. In the final comments the question about the growth function of this group is raised.