Related papers: On Whitehead's first free-group algorithm, cutvert…

Let $F$ be a finite-rank free group and $H$ be a finite-rank subgroup of $F$. We discuss proofs of two algorithms that sandwich $H$ between an upper-layer free-product factor of $F$ that contains $H$ and a lower-layer free-product factor of…

Given a finitely generated subgroup $H$ of a free group $F$, we present an algorithm which computes $g_1,\ldots,g_m\in F$, such that the set of elements $g\in F$, for which there exists a non-trivial $H$-equation having $g$ as a solution,…

We develop a refinement of Whitehead's algorithm for primitive words in a free group. We generalize to subgroups, establishing a strengthened version of Whitehead's algorithm for free factors. We make use of these refinements in proving new…

In analogy with the free factors of a free group we define special factors of Generalized Baumslag-Solitar (GBS) groups as non-cyclic subgroups which appear in splittings over infinite cyclic groups. We give an algorithm which, given a GBS…

We use Gersten's generalization of Whitehead's algorithm to determine whether a given finitely generated subgroup of a free group $F$ is elliptic in an elementary cyclic splitting of $F$. We provide a similar result for all elementary…

We give an efficient algorithm to randomly generate finitely generated subgroups of a given size, in a finite rank free group. Here, the size of a subgroup is the number of vertices of its representation by a reduced graph such as can be…

Let $F$ be a finitely generated free group. We present an algorithm such that, given a subgroup $H\leqslant F$, decides whether $H$ is the fixed subgroup of some family of automorphisms, or family of endomorphisms of $F$ and, in the…

We study the intersection of finitely generated factor-free subgroups of free products of groups by utilizing the method of linear programming. For example, we prove that if $H_1$ is a finitely generated factor-free noncyclic subgroup of…

We revisit the problem of deciding whether a finitely generated subgroup H is a free factor of a given free group F. Known algorithms solve this problem in time polynomial in the sum of the lengths of the generators of H and exponential in…

Let G=(V,E) be a graph with f:V\to Z_+ a function assigning degree bounds to vertices. We present the first efficient algebraic algorithm to find an f-factor. The time is \tilde{O}(f(V)^{\omega}). More generally for graphs with integral…

It has been recently discovered by Bell, Heinle and Levandovskyy that a large class of algebras, including the ubiquitous $G$-algebras, are finite factorization domains (FFD for short). Utilizing this result, we contribute an algorithm to…

J.H.C. Whitehead's second free-group algorithm determines whether or not two given elements of a free group lie in the same orbit of the automorphism group of the free group. The algorithm involves certain connected graphs, and Whitehead…

For smooth finite fields $F_q$ (i.e., when $q-1$ factors into small primes) the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) leads to the fastest known algebraic algorithms for many basic polynomial operations, such as multiplication, division,…

Let $F_n$ be the free group of a finite rank $n$. We study orbits $Orb_{\phi}(u)$, where $u$ is an element of the group $F_n$, under the action of an automorphism $\phi$. If an orbit like that is finite, we determine precisely what its…

The mapping class group of a genus $g$ surface $\Sigma_{g,1}$ with one boundary component is known to have a simple yet infinite presentation with generators given by elementary moves called Whitehead moves on so-called marked bordered…

This article focuses on free factors H <= F_m of the free group F_m with finite rank m > 2, and specifically addresses the implications of Ascari's refinement of the Whitehead automorphism phi for H as introduced in \cite{ascari2021fine}.…

Given a countable group $G$ splitting as a free product $G=G_1\ast\dots\ast G_k\ast F_N$, we establish classification results for subgroups of the group $Out(G,\mathcal{F})$ of all outer automorphisms of $G$ that preserve the conjugacy…

Cartesian products of graphs and hypergraphs have been studied since the 1960s. For (un)directed hypergraphs, unique \emph{prime factor decomposition (PFD)} results with respect to the Cartesian product are known. However, there is still a…

The Whitehead minimization problem consists in finding a minimum size element in the automorphic orbit of a word, a cyclic word or a finitely generated subgroup in a finite rank free group. We give the first fully polynomial algorithm to…

Let $G$ be the fundamental group of a graph of finitely generated virtually free groups with virtually cyclic edge groups. We shaw that $G$ is cohomologically good if $G$ is residually finite. If $G$ is LERF, we prove that G splits…