How to generalize known results on equations over groups. (Q881009)

A generalized equation over a group \(G\) with variable group \(T\) is a formal expression of the form \(g_1t_1g_2t_2\cdots g_nt_n=1\), where \(g_i\in G\) and \(t_i\in T\). A generalized equation is said to be solvable over the group \(G\) if there exists a group \(H\) containing \(G\) as a subgroup, and a homomorphism \(\mu\colon T\to H\) for which \(g_1\mu(t_1)g_2\mu(t_2)\cdots g_n\mu(t_n)=1\). Known facts about the solvability of equations over groups are considered from this generalized point of view. In particular, it is shown that any unimodular generalized equation over a torsion-free group is solvable over this group. Here, unimodularity is understood in some special form that gives the usual unimodularity when the variable group \(T\) is infinite cyclic. This result is obtained from a more general statement.