English

Factors in infinite groups

Group Theory 2026-02-27 v1 Combinatorics

Abstract

Let GG be a group and AGA\subseteq G a non-empty subset. A right ss-factor associated with AA is a maximal subset UGU\subseteq G such that the product AUAU is direct. The lower and upper ss-indices G:A|G:A|^- and G:A+|G:A|^+ are defined as the minimum and the supremum of the cardinalities of such maximal sets UU. The subset AA is called stable if G:A=G:A+|G:A|^- = |G:A|^+, and GG is called stable if every subset of GG is stable. Using a graph-theoretic reformulation in terms of Cayley graphs, we prove that every infinite group is unstable. Equivalently, for every infinite group GG there exists a subset AGA\subseteq G for which maximal subsets UU with direct product AUAU do not all have the same cardinality. This gives a negative answer to Question 21.58 of the Kourovka Notebook.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2602.22876,
  title  = {Factors in infinite groups},
  author = {Mikhail Kabenyuk},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2602.22876},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

7 pages

R2 v1 2026-07-01T10:53:42.828Z