Matrices over group rings which are Alexander matrices (Q798769)

Let F be a free group with basis \(\{x_ 1,...,x_ m\}\) and \(\chi\) :\(F\to H\) an epimorphism. The main result of this paper gives a characterization as to when, for a given \(n\times m\) matrix \(A=(a_{ij})\) over the integral group ring JH, there exist \(r_ 1,...,r_ n\in F\) such that \({\bar\chi }(\partial r_ i/\partial x_ j)=a_{ij},\quad 1\leq i\leq n,\) 1\(\leq j\leq m\), where \({\bar\chi }:JF\to JH\) is the linear extension of \(\chi\) to the integral group ring JF and the derivation is in the sense of \textit{R. H. Fox} [Ann. Math., II. Ser. 57, 547-560 (1953; Zbl 0050.256)].