The elementary theory of groups. A guide through the proofs of the Tarski conjectures. (Q400549)

This book concentrates on the intersection between group theory and logic with focus primarily on infinite discrete groups. The elementary theory of groups is tied to first-order logic and to model theory. The authors deal with ideas and extensions of concepts arising around the famous Tarski problems and their solution. After being an open question for sixty years the Tarski conjectures were answered in the affirmative by O. Kharlampovich and A. Myasnikov and independently by Z. Sela. Both proofs involve long and complicated applications of algebraic geometry over free groups as well as an extension of methods to solve equations in free groups originally developed by Makanin and Razborov. The authors lay groundwork for the solution of the Tarski problems, and then outline the Kharlampovich-Myasnikov proof of the Tarski problems. The book gives necessary material from Combinatorial Group Theory, including the material on free groups and amalgams, group complexes and fundamental groups, Nielsen transformations, Bass-Serre theory. The authors describe the essential ideas involved in Geometric Group Theory, including Dehn's algorithms and small cancellation theory, hyperbolic groups, free actions on trees, automatic groups, Stallings foldings. They establish the ideas from first-order languages and model theory, including concepts of filters, ultra-filters and ultra-products which are essential tools in the study of elementary properties of groups. A formal description of the Tarski problems is given. The structure of residually free groups is discussed. The basic framework of algebraic geometry over groups is developed. The implicit function theorem for free groups is presented. Finally, the authors list open questions.