Cofinality of algebras (Q1088699)

The cofinality of a universal algebra A is the least infinite cardinal \(\lambda =Cf A\) such that \(A=\cup_{i<\lambda}A_ i\), where \(\{A_ i:\) \(i<\lambda \}\) is a strictly increasing sequence of subalgebras of A. Plainly, Cf A is a regular cardinal isomorphism invariant that is defined if and only if A is not finitely generated. This paper presents some results on the cofinality of algebras with finitely many finitary operations. The paper begins with a selection of general facts about cofinality. For example, it is shown that if the variety V has the amalgamation property and every countable algebra in V can be embedded in a finitely generated algebra, then every \(A\in V\) is a subalgebra of some \(B\in V\) such that Cf B is uncountable. A selection of pathological examples follows. For instance, the authors construct a five-unary Jónsson algebra A of cardinality \(\aleph_ 1\) such that \(Cf(A\times A)=\aleph_ 0\). The definition of Jónsson algebras of course implies Cf A\(=\aleph_ 1\). The last three sections of the paper deal with cofinality for the varieties of one-unary algebras, semigroups, and lattices. Sample results are: every non-finitely generated one-unary algebra has cofinality \(\aleph_ 0\); infinite normal bands have cofinality \(\aleph_ 0\); an infinite distributive lattice has cofinality at most \(2^{\aleph_ 0}\). A list of unsolved problems concludes the paper.