Factorization of periodic subsets (Q1187257)

Fuchs asks whether or not, if a direct product of simplices is a periodic subset of a group, one of the simplices must be a subgroup of the group [\textit{L. Fuchs}, Abelian groups. Budapest: Hungarian Academy of Sciences (1960; Zbl 0091.02704)]. In the paper under review, the authors consider Fuchs' question in finite abelian groups, and prove the following theorem: let \(G\) be a finite abelian group and let the periodic subset \(A\) be a direct factor of \(G\) and be itself a direct product of simplices. Then one of the simplices is a subgroup. The authors also consider questions similar to Fuchs', concerning periodic direct products in finite abelian groups. For example, the authors obtain the following result: let \(G\) be a finite abelian \(p\)-group. If a direct product of subsets of \(G\) of prime order is periodic then one of the subsets is a subgroup.