Commutators in metabelian groups (Q1196255)

Let \(G\) be a group and let \(G'\) be the commutator subgroup of \(G\). Then \(c(G)\) is defined as the least positive integer \(k\) such that every element of \(G'\) is the product of \(k\) commutators, if such an integer exists, otherwise \(c(G) = \infty\). The authors prove that if \(G_ n\) is the free metabelian group on \(n\) generators \((n \geq 2)\), then \(c(G_ 2) = 2\) and \(\left[{n\over 2}\right] \leq c(G_ n) \leq n\), where \(\left[{n\over 2}\right]\) is the integral part of \({n\over 2}\). Moreover, if \(G\) is the free metabelian group on a countable set of generators, then \(c(G) = \infty\). As a consequence \(c(G)\) is finite for every polycyclic group \(G\).