When do two groups always have isomorphic extension groups? (Q921121)

This paper investigates the relationship between finite rank torsion-free abelian groups A and B such that Ext(A,C)\(\simeq Ext(B,C)\) for all finite rank torsion-free abelian groups C. The results here are partial ones. A complete, elegant characterization appears in a subsequent work, ``Fuchs' Problem 43'', by the same author. The reader should refer directly to that paper, which will also appear in the Rocky Mountain Journal. The two main results obtained are as follows. Theorem. Let A and B be torsion-free abelian groups of finite rank. The following are equivalent. (a) Ext(A,C)\(\simeq Ext(B,C)\) for all torsion-free finite rank C. (b) Outer type A equals outer type C and \(A=F\oplus A'\oplus D\), \(B=F'\oplus B'\oplus D'\) with \(A'\) quasi-isomorphic to \(B'\), \(F,F'\) free, and \(D,D'\) divisible. Theorem. Let A and B be reduced torsion-free abelian groups of finite rank. Then A is quasi-isomorphic to B if and only if the p-rank of Hom(A,C) equals the p-rank of Hom(B,C) for all primes p and all torsion- free finite rank groups C.