On balanced presentations of the trivial group. (Q2505540)

Let \({\mathcal P}=\langle x_1,\dots,x_m\mid R_1,\dots,R_m\rangle\) be a balanced presentation that defines the trivial group. Magnus posed the following long-standing problem. Would it always be possible to replace the defining relator \(R_i\) (\(i=1,\dots,m\)) by a free generator of the free group \(F=F(X)\) with the set of free generators \(X=\{x_1,\dots,x_m\}\) so that the group defined by the altered presentation would still be trivial? The author constructs a balanced presentation of the trivial group such that every such swap gives a presentation of a non-trivial group. So, the answer to the Magnus question is ``no''. Some other related problems on balanced presentations of groups are discussed, too.