Approximation by subgroups of finite index and the Hanna Neumann conjecture (Q2403442)

Following work of \textit{A. G. Howson} [J. Lond. Math. Soc. 29, 428--434 (1954; Zbl 0056.02106)] and \textit{H. Neumann} [Publ. Math., Debrecen 4, 186--189 (1956; Zbl 0070.02001); ibid. 5, 128 (1957; Zbl 0078.01402)], \textit{W. D. Neumann} [Lect. Notes Math. 1456, 161--170 (1990; Zbl 0722.20016)] formulated the following strengthened Hanna Neumann conjecture. Let \(F\) be a free group, and \(U, W \leq F\) be finitely generated. Define \(\overline{\operatorname{rk}}(X) = \max \{ \operatorname{rk}(X) - 1, 0 \}\). Then, \(\sum_{x \in U\backslash F/W} \overline{\operatorname{rk}}(U \cap x W x^{-1}) \leq \overline{\operatorname{rk}}(U) \cdot \overline{\operatorname{rk}}(W)\). Here, \(U\backslash F/W\) is a set of representatives of the double cosets \(U x W\) in \(F\). The conjecture was proved independently by \textit{J. Friedman} [Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 1100, xii, 106 p. (2015; Zbl 1327.20025)] and \textit{I. Mineyev} [Ann. Math. (2) 175, No. 1, 393--414 (2012; Zbl 1280.20029)], and then simplified by \textit{W. Dicks} [``Simplified Mineyev,'', Preprint]. In the paper under review, a proof is given of the analogue conjecture in the realm of free pro-\(p\) groups. The combinatorial methods of the previous proofs being unavailable in this context, the author develops suitable (co)homological methods, which also allow him to give a new proof in the abstract (discrete) case. In the course of the latter proof, the author shows that the Lück approximation conjecture [\textit{W. Lück}, Geom. Funct. Anal. 4, No. 4, 455--481 (1994; Zbl 0853.57021)] holds for free groups.