Free groups and unification in \({\mathfrak A}_ m{\mathfrak A}_ 2\) (Q1909530)

The aim of this paper is to describe the free groups of the variety \({\mathfrak A}_m{\mathfrak A}_2\), where \(m\) is odd, and to determine the unification type of this variety. The description of the free groups is given in terms of generators and is aimed at yielding a clear picture of the structure of these groups as a whole. Let \(G\) be the \(k\)-generator free group in the variety. Then \(G\) has a normal subgroup \(A\) which is a direct sum of \(2^k(k-1)+1\) copies of \(Z_m\) and has a subgroup \(U\) isomorphic to the factor group \(Z^k_2\). The generators for \(G\) are then given in terms of generators of \(U\) and carefully chosen generators for \(A\). The next section of the paper deals with finding the unification type of this variety, that is, considers solutions to systems of equations of the form \[ \Sigma=\{t_1(x)=1,\;t_2(x)=1,\;\dots,\;t_n(x)=1\} \] in a finite sequence of variables \(x=x_1,\dots,x_k\), where each \(t_i(x)\) is a term in the language of groups. If \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\) are both solutions of \(\Sigma\), then \(\alpha\) is said to generalize \(\beta\) if there is an endomorphism \(\theta\) of \(G\) such that \(\theta_\alpha=\beta\). The main theorem of this section shows that every equation over \(G\) has a most general solution.