Groups with isomorphic homology groups and non-cancellation in homotopy theory (Q1822087)

The author is concerned with the cancellation problem in homotopy theory; that is, when does \(X\times Z\simeq Y\times Z\) imply that \(X\simeq Y ?\) Starting with his examples [Quaest. Math. 9, 281-292 (1986)] of finitely presented groups N(n) for which N(1) and N(m) can each be imbedded (properly, for many m) as normal subgroups in the other, he constructs polyhedra X(n) with the following properties: they have infinite cyclic fundamental groups, are nilpotent in many cases, and for many choices of m satisfy the noncancellation property that \(X(1)\times S^ 1\simeq X(m)\times S^ 1\) although X(1)\(\not\simeq X(m)\). Also, in the nilpotent cases there exists k so that \(X(1)^ k\simeq X(m)^ k.\) The homotopy structure of X(n) is related to the algebraic structure of N(n) in that the action of \(\pi_ 1(X(n))\) on \(\pi_ 2(X(n))\) is isomorphic to the action of the abelianization of N(n) on the commutator subgroup of N(n). No discussion is given of relevant results or of the history of such cancellation problems. The question of whether \(X\times X\approx Y\times Y\) implies \(X\approx Y\) was posed by \textit{S. M. Ulam} [Fundam. Math. 20 (1933), p. 285]. \textit{R. Fox} [ibid. 34, 278-287 (1947; Zbl 0033.024)] gave examples of compact 4-manifolds with boundary that are not homotopy equivalent but whose squares are homeomorphic; in that paper Fox poses the question of cancellability of \(S^ 1\)-factors of closed manifolds. \textit{L. S. Charlap} [Ann. Math., II. Ser. 81, 15-30 (1965; Zbl 0132.165)] gave examples of closed flat Riemannian manifolds that are not homotopy equivalent but whose products with \(S^ 1\) are diffeomorphic; the phenomenon underlying those examples was extensively probed by \textit{P. E. Conner} and \textit{F. Raymond} [Lect. Notes Math. 299, 237-310 (1972; Zbl 0266.57008)], giving among other results closed 3-manifolds that are not homotopy equivalent but whose products with \(S^ 1\) are diffeomorphic. A bibliography of other relevant results can be found in The Scottish Book. Mathematics from the Scottish Café [ed. \textit{R. D. Mauldin} (1981; Zbl 0485.01013); see pp. 151-154].