Constructing a group-interval in \(O\)-minimal structures (Q1330686)

Let \(M\) be an O-minimal structure. The author defines \(M\) to have the ``CF-property'' if, for any interval \(I \subseteq M\), definable function \(f : I \to M\), and point \(a \in I\), there is \(a_1 \in I\), \(a_1 > a\) such that on \((a, a_1)\), \(f\) is defined by a formula over a single parameter. Intuitively this means that any definable family of functions is, locally, a 1-parameter family. (This property is the analogue of ``local modularity'' of a strongly minimal set.) \(M\) is said to be nontrivial if there is some interval \(I \subseteq M\) and definable function \(F : I \times I \to M\) which is continuous and strictly monotone in each variable. (This is the analogue of nontriviality in strongly minimal sets.) Moreover \(a \in M\) is called nontrivial if there are such \(I\), and \(F\) with \(a \in I\). The author proves, by clever arguments, that if \(M\) is saturated enough, \(M\) has the CF-property, and \(a\) is a nontrivial point in \(M\), then in \(M\) there is a type definable ordered group containing \(a\). If one wishes to waive the saturation hypothesis, then one obtains a definable ``group interval'' containing \(a\). The results of this paper form an important part of the classification of O-minimal structures, and the application to O-minimal structures of the ideas of geometric stability theory.