On a conjecture of Imrich and Müller (Q2360395)

Let \(F\) be a free group of finite rank, \(r(F)\) be the rank of \(F\) and \(\overline{r}(F)=\max(r(F)-1,0)\). Consider the following two conditions: {\parindent=0.9cm \begin{itemize}\item[(C1)] If \(K_1\cap K_2=H_1\cap H_2\), where \(K_i\) is a free factor of \(H_i\), then \(K_i=H_i\), \(i=1,2\), \item[(C2)] The intersection \(H_1\cap H_2\) contains no nontrivial free factor of \(\langle H_1,H_2\rangle\). \end{itemize}} The author proves that there are two subgroups \(H_1\) and \(H_2\) of a free group \(F\) such that \(H_1\) and \(H_2\) satisfy conditions (C1)--(C2) and \(\overline{r}(H_1)=3\), \(\overline{r}(H_2)=5\), \(\overline{r}(H_1\cap H_2)=8\), and \(\overline{r}(\langle H_1,H_2\rangle)=2\). In particular, a conjecture of \textit{W. Imrich} and \textit{T. Müller} [Arch. Math. 62, No. 3, 193--198 (1994; Zbl 0812.20009)] on the rank of the intersection of subgroups of free groups is disproved.