Engel groups. II. (Q2655773)

This is the second part of a series of papers, the first one is by the second author [Isr. J. Math. 69, No. 1, 1-24 (1990; Zbl 0708.20007)], in which the one relator-group \(\langle X\mid r\rangle\) is studied, where \(r\) is an \(n\)-Engel element of the form \([A,B,\dots,B]\) (\(B\) occurs \(n\) times) in the free group over the alphabet \(X\). Recently the authors have reconsidered the topic [in Isr. J. Math. 173, 125-155 (2009; Zbl 1192.20021)]. The present paper generalizes results of the first part of the series by studying the group \(\langle X\mid R\rangle\), where \(R\) consists of \(n\)-Engel elements of the above form. By the use of cancellation diagrams and techniques developed in the former papers the main theorem states that if \(n\) is at least 26, the increase in the length of the words in \(R\) is limited by a suitable constant then the group in question -- among other properties -- is torsion-free and has a solvable word problem. Arguments are elegant though fairly complicated.