On unit sum numbers of rational groups. (Q1415006): Difference between revisions

We say an associative ring \(R\) has the \(n\)-sum property if every element of \(R\) can be written as a sum of exactly \(n\) units in \(R\). The unit sum number is then defined as \(\text{usn}(R)=\min\{n\mid R\) has the \(n\)-sum property\}. If every element of \(R\) is a sum of units but \(R\) does not have the \(n\)-sum property for any \(n\), define \(\text{usn}(R)=\omega\), and if \(R\) contains an element which is not a sum of units, set \(\text{usn}(R)=\infty\). Further define the unit sum number of an Abelian group or module to be that of its endomorphism ring. There has been a large amount of research on the subject of which Abelian groups and modules have unit sum number 2 and the properties of their endomorphism rings. However, until now it has not been known if there even exists a group with a finite unit sum number larger than 2. In the current paper unit sum numbers of rational groups (subgroups of the rational numbers under addition) are investigated. A notable feature of these groups is that if 2 is not a unit in the endomorphism ring, then the unit sum number is \(\omega\). Several other results are discussed by considering the number and distribution of rational primes which are, or are not, automorphisms of the group. The authors establish their main result using a combination of algebraic and number theoretic methods: the existence of rational groups with a finite unit sum number greater than 2.