Computing Whitehead groups using genetic bases (Q906883)

The author performs explicit computations of the Whitehead groups for the groups \(G(p,n)=C_{p^n}\times C_{p^n}\) for \(n=1,2,3\) and \(4\), and for metacyclic groups \(M_n(p)\), here \(p\) denotes a prime number. The main tools are the use for genetic bases for \(p\)-groups and the aid of the GAP system. The results are as follows: The torsion of the Whitehead groups of \(G(p,n)\) are of the form \(C_p^{r_1}\times C_{p^2}^{r_2}\times\cdots\times C_{p^{n-1}}^{r_{n-1}}\) for suitable integers \(r_i\). The author conjectures a formula for the general case. On the other hand the calculations give that the torsion of the Whitehead group of \(M_n(p)\) is isomorphic to \(C_p^{(n-2)(p-1)}\) for \(n\geq 4\).