No label defined (Q4244058)

A test element in a group \(G\) is an element \(g\) such that if \(f(g)=g\) for an endomorphism \(f\) of \(G\) then \(f\) must be an automorphism. An almost primitive element (APE) is an element of \(G\) which is not primitive but it is primitive in any subgroup containing it. Here, primitive means that \(g\) generates an infinite cyclic free factor of \(G\), which for a free group means that \(g\) can be included in a free generating set of \(G\). If \(\mathcal U\) is a variety defined by the set \(\mathcal V\) of laws and \({\mathcal V}(G)\) is the verbal subgroup of \(G\) defined by \(\mathcal V\) then \(g\in G\) is called \(\mathcal U\)-generic of \(G\) if \(g\in{\mathcal V}(G)\) but \(g\not\in{\mathcal V}(K)\) for every proper subgroup \(K\) of \(G\). The element \(g\in G\) is called generic if it is \(\mathcal U\)-generic for some variety \(\mathcal U\). The authors examine and describe the relation between the above concepts, give new examples of test words, generic elements and almost primitive elements in certain classes of groups such as free groups, free products and some relatively free groups. We state here the first of the main theorems and corollaries which are contained in this paper: Let \(F\) be a free group and \(\mathcal B\) a nontrivial variety defined by the set of laws \(\mathcal V\). Let \(w\in{\mathcal V}(F)\). If \(w\) is an APE then \(w\) is \(\mathcal B\)-generic. In particular, \(w\) is a test word. In some cases, the authors give a sketch of the proof and for the full proof they refer to previous papers and a forthcoming one of the authors [Test words, generic elements and almost primitivity (to appear)].