Projective objects in the categories of abelian \(\ell\)-groups and MV-algebras. (Q2449457)

Lattice-ordered abelian groups (for short, \(l\)-groups) provide a modern equational framework for the classical theory of magnitudes. The theory of unital \(l\)-groups also takes into account the archimedean properties of the unit of measurement. In [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 87, 55-56 (1958; Zbl 0085.24402)] \textit{C. C. Chang} introduced MV-algebras to prove the completeness of the Łukasiewicz axioms. Then in his paper [J. Funct. Anal. 65, 15-63 (1986; Zbl 0597.46059)], the present reviewer constructed a categorical equivalence \(\Gamma\) between MV-algebras and unital \(l\)-groups. Using the \(\Gamma\) functor, the paper under review deals with the relationships between free \(l\)-groups and free MV-algebras. It is proved that every free MV-algebra is a subalgebra of an interval of some free \(l\)-group. As a consequence, for any projective MV-algebra \(A\), the unital \(l\)-group \((G,u)\) specified by writing \(A=\Gamma(G,u)\), is projective as an \(l\)-group. More generally, the free algebras in the variety \(\mathbf V\) of negative cones of \(l\)-groups are subalgebras of negative cones of free \(l\)-groups. This yields a Baker-Beynon theorem for finitely generated free algebras in \(\mathbf V\). In the final section further generalizations deal with all algebras ``induced by a unary term''. Other types of connections between free MV-algebras and free abelian \(l\)-groups are the subject matter of the following papers: \textit{L. Fuchs} [Algebra Univers. 62, No. 1, 45-49 (2009; Zbl 1196.06006)] and \textit{J. Jakubík} [Czech. Math. J. 53, No. 2, 311-317 (2003; Zbl 1024.06004)]. While the Baker-Beynon duality ensures that finitely generated projective and finitely presented \(l\)-groups coincide, the situation is quite different for finitely generated projective unital \(l\)-groups and MV-algebras. See, e.g., the relevant chapters in the present reviewer's monograph ``Advanced Łukasiewicz calculus and MV-algebras'' [Trends in Logic -- Studia Logica Library 35. Berlin: Springer (2011; Zbl 1235.03002)].