Complementing a subgroup of a hyperbolic group by a free factor. (Q2434604)

Let \(G\) be a group and \(H\) a subgroup. \(H\) is `complemented by a free factor of rank \(n\) in \(G\)' if there exists a free subgroup \(F_n\) of rank \(n\) in \(G\) for which \(\langle F_n,H\rangle=F_n*H\). The authors show: Theorem 1. Let \(G\) be a non-elementary word-hyperbolic group and \(H\) a quasiconvex subgroup of infinite index. Assume that \(G\) is defined by a finite set \(X\) of generators and by a list of defining relations such that the corresponding hyperbolicity constant \(\delta\) is known. Suppose that \(H\) is defined by a finite set of generating words in \(X^{\pm 1}\) such that the corresponding hyperbolicity constant \(\delta'\) is known. Then the problem of complementability for \(H\) by a free factor in \(G\) is algorithmically decidable.