On the structure of \(Ext_ p(G,{\mathbb{Z}})\) (Q1118039): Difference between revisions

Motivated by Shelah's solution of the Whitehead problem \([``Ext(G,{\mathbb{Z}})=0\Rightarrow G\) free'' is independent of ZFC], many authors investigated the structure of Ext(G,\({\mathbb{Z}})\). The structure of Ext(G,\({\mathbb{Z}})\) is determined by cardinal invariants because of divisibility. The present authors show that there is a cardinal gap for groups G of cardinality \(| G| =\lambda\) where \(\lambda\) is cofinal to \(\omega\) and a strong limit. In this case the p-invariant of Ext(G,\({\mathbb{Z}})\) \((=\) number of \(Z(p^{\infty})'s\) in Ext(G,\({\mathbb{Z}}))\) is either \(<\lambda\) or \(=2^{\lambda}\). I quote from their abstract: ``We make an effort to make this paper readable also by non-logicians''. However it needs some effort to follow the combinatorial arguments.