Finite semigroups embed in finitely presented congruence-free monoids. (Q2438925)

The author proves the theorem stated in the title, as a first step to investigating the question of whether any finitely generated semigroup embeds in a finitely presented congruence-free semigroup, the semigroup counterpart of the Boone-Higman conjecture. He notes that evidence of a different kind for validity of the conjecture is provided by the result of \textit{K. Byleen} [Semigroup Forum 41, No. 2, 145-153 (1990; Zbl 0702.20045)] that any countable semigroup is embeddable in a two-generated congruence-free monoid.