Generalized torsion elements in infinite groups (Q6896432)

An element \(g\) of a group \(G\) is called generalized torsion if there exist \(x_1,\dots, x_k\in G\) such that \(g^{x_1}g^{x_2}\dots g^{x_k}=1\), where \(g^{x_i}=x_i^{-1}gx_i\) for every \(i\in\{1,\dots,k\}\).\N\NIf \(g\) is a generalized torsion element, then its generalized order is the smallest positive integer \(k\) such that \(g^{x_1}\dots g^{x_k}=1\) for some \(x_1,\dots,x_k\in G\).\N\NA group \(G\) is a generalized torsion group if all its elements are generalized torsion elements.\N\NUsually, the set \(T_{\bullet}(G)\) of all generalized torsion elements of a group \(G\) is not a subgroup and it is not even closed under powers. In this paper there are examples of groups \(G\) having generalized torsion element \(g\) such that \(\langle g\rangle\) contains central elements of infinite order.\N\NThe authors consider finitely generated abelian-by-finite groups and they prove the following interesting result:\N\NTheorem 1.1. Let \(G\) be a finitely generated abelian-by-finite group. Then \(T_{\bullet}(G)=\pi^{-1}(T(G^{ab}))\), where \(\pi:G\rightarrow G^{ab}\) is the abelianization map and \(T(G^{ab})\) is the torsion subgroup of \(G^{ab}\). In particular:\N\begin{itemize}\N\item[1.] \(T_{\bullet}(G)\) is a normal subgroup of \(G\)\N\item[2.] \(T_{\bullet}(G)=G\) if and only if \(G^{ab}\) is finite\N\item[3.] If \(G\) is torsion-free, then \(T_{\bullet}(G)=G\) if and only if \(Z(G)=1\).\N\end{itemize}\N\NMoreover, they introduce the definition of generalized exponent, \(\exp_{\bullet}(G)\), of a generalized torsion group and prove a quantitative version of the previous theorem with sharp bounds. If \(G\) is a finitely generated abelian-by-finite group and \(G^{ab}\) is finite, then \(\exp(G^{ab})\le \exp_{\bullet}(G)\le |G/A|\), where \(A\) is a free abelian normal subgroup of finite index in \(G\).\N\NFinally, they discuss positive generalized identities in abelian-by-finite groups and related classes.