Two-variable identities for finite solvable groups. (Q1420139)

By a celebrated result of \textit{J. G. Thompson} [Bull. Am. Math. Soc. 74, 383-437 (1968; Zbl 0159.30804)] the finite group \(G\) is soluble iff every two-generator subgroup of \(G\) is soluble. By \textit{R. Brandl} [J. Algebra 73, 1-22 (1981; Zbl 0484.20012)], there exists a sequence \(u_1,u_2,\dots\) of words in two variables such that the finite group \(G\) is soluble iff the identity \(u_n=1\) holds in \(G\) for all but finitely many \(n\). In [\textit{R. Brandl} and \textit{J. S. Wilson}, J. Algebra 116, No. 2, 334-341 (1988; Zbl 0651.20039)] such sequences are given, but not explicitly. In the present paper a modification of a sequence suggested by \textit{B. I. Plotkin} [Usp. Mat. Nauk 13, No. 4(82), 89-172 (1958; Zbl 0198.04301)] is used. The authors sketch a proof of the following Theorem 1.1. Let \(u_1(X,Y)=X^{-2}Y^{-1}X\), and inductively \[ u_{n+1}(X,Y)=[Xu_n(X,Y)X^{-1},Yu_n(X,Y)Y^{-1}].\tag{1} \] A finite group \(G\) is soluble iff for some \(n\) the identity \(u_n=1\) holds in \(G\). Clearly, the condition is necessary. The proof of the converse uses Thompson's classification of all minimal simple groups \(G\) [loc. cit.]. As in [\textit{R. Brandl} and \textit{D. B. Nikolova}, Bull. Aust. Math. Soc. 33, 245-251 (1986; Zbl 0574.20028)], an appeal to the Hasse-Weil Theorem yields elements \(x,y\in G\) with \(u_1(x,y)\neq 1\) and \(u_1(x,y)=u_2(x,y)\). This proves Theorem 1.1. The result has the following application: Theorem 1.3. Let \(F=F(x,y)\) be the free group in two variables, and let \(\widehat F\) be its profinite completion. Let \(v_1,v_2,\dots\) be any convergent subsequence of the sequence (1) with limit \(f\) from \(\widehat F\). Then the identity \(f\equiv 1\) defines the profinite variety of prosoluble groups.