On uniform exponential growth for solvable groups. (Q930793)

A result by \textit{D. V. Osin} asserts that a finitely generated solvable group of exponential growth has uniform exponential growth [see Ergodic Theory Dyn. Syst. 23, No. 3, 907-918 (2003; Zbl 1062.20039), Geom. Dedicata 107, 133-151 (2004; Zbl 1115.20033)]. The result was independently obtained by \textit{R. C. Alperin} for polycyclic groups [Geom. Dedicata 92, 105-113 (2002; Zbl 1009.20038)]. In the paper under review, the author gives an alternative proof of Osin's result. The new approach uses a theorem by \textit{J. R. J. Groves} [Ill. J. Math. 22, 90-95 (1978; Zbl 0366.20017)], and it is based on a ping-pong argument that is classically used to construct free semigroups. (The ping-pong argument was used by \textit{J. Tits } in his famous paper [J. Algebra 20, 250-270 (1972; Zbl 0236.20032)].)