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Alexei Miasnikov

Publications and source records attributed to Alexei Miasnikov.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2017

Stallings graphs for quasi-convex subgroups

We show that one can define and effectively compute Stallings graphs for quasi-convex subgroups of automatic groups (\textit{e.g.} hyperbolic groups or right-angled Artin groups). These Stallings graphs are finite labeled graphs, which are canonically associated with the corresponding subgroups. We show that this notion of Stallings graphs allows a unified approach to many algorithmic problems: some which had already been solved like the generalized membership problem or the computation of a quasi-convexity constant (Kapovich, 1996); and others such as the computation of intersections, the conjugacy or the almost malnormality problems. Our results extend earlier algorithmic results for the more restricted class of virtually free groups. We also extend our construction to relatively quasi-convex subgroups of relatively hyperbolic groups, under certain additional conditions.

math.GR↗
arXiv2016

Random nilpotent groups, polycyclic presentations, and Diophantine problems

We introduce a model of random f.g., torsion-free, $2$-step nilpotent groups (in short, $τ_2$-groups). To do so, we show that these are precisely the groups that admit a presentation of the form $ \label{tau2pres_0}\langle A, C \mid [a_i, a_j]= \prod_t {\scriptstyle c_t^{\scriptscriptstyle λ_{t,i,j}}} \ (i< j), \ [A,C]=[C,C]=1\rangle,$ where $A=\{a_1, \dots, a_n\}$, and $C=\{c_1, \dots, c_m\}$. Hence, one may select a random $τ_2$-group $G$ by fixing $A$ and $C$, and then randomly choosing exponents $λ_{t,i,j}$ with $|λ_{t,i,j}|\leq \ell$, for some $\ell$. We prove that, if $m\geq n-1\geq 1$, then the following holds asymptotically almost surely, as $\ell\to \infty$: The ring of integers $\mathbb{Z}$ is e-definable in $G$, systems of equations over $\mathbb{Z}$ are reducible to systems over $G$ (and hence they are undecidable), the maximal ring of scalars of $G$ is $\mathbb{Z}$, $G$ is indecomposable as a direct product of non-abelian factors, and $Z(G)=\langle C \rangle$. If, additionally, $m \leq n(n-1)/2$, then $G$ is regular (i.e. $Z(G)\leq {\it Is}(G')$). This is not the case if $m > n(n-1)/2$. In the last section of the paper we introduce similar models of random polycyclic groups and random f.g. nilpotent groups of any nilpotency step, possibly with torsion. We quickly see, however, that the latter yields finite groups a.a.s.

math.GR↗
arXiv2016

On groups elementarily equivalent to a group of triangular matrices $T_n(R)$

In this paper we investigate the structure of groups elementarily equivalent to the group $T_n(R)$ of all invertible upper triangular $n\times n$ matrices, where $n\geq 3$ and $R$ is a characteristic zero integral domain. In particular we give both necessary and sufficient conditions for a group being elementarily equivalent to $T_n(R)$ where $R$ is a characteristic zero algebraically closed field, a real closed field, a number field, or the ring of integers of a number field.

math.GR↗
arXiv2016

Generic case completeness

In this note we introduce a notion of a generically (strongly generically) NP-complete problem and show that the randomized bounded version of the halting problem is strongly generically NP-complete.

cs.CC↗
arXiv2016

Computational complexity and the conjugacy problem

The conjugacy problem for a finitely generated group $G$ is the two-variable problem of deciding for an arbitrary pair $(u,v)$ of elements of $G$, whether or not $u$ is conjugate to $v$ in $G$. We construct examples of finitely generated, computably presented groups such that for every element $u_0$ of $G$, the problem of deciding if an arbitrary element is conjugate to $u_0$ is decidable in quadratic time but the worst-case complexity of the global conjugacy problem is arbitrary: it can be any c.e. Turing degree , can exactly mirror the Time Hierarchy Theorem, or can be $\mathcal{NP}$-complete. Our groups also have the property that the conjugacy problem is generically linear time: that is, there is a linear time partial algorithm for the conjugacy problem whose domain has density $1$, so hard instances are very rare. We also consider the complexity relationship of the "half-conjugacy" problem to the conjugacy problem. In the last section we discuss the extreme opposite situation: groups with algorithmically finite conjugation.

math.GR↗
arXiv2015

An Example of an Automatic Graph of Intermediate Growth

We give an example of a 4-regular infinite automatic graph of intermediate growth. It is constructed as a Schreier graph of a certain group generated by 3-state automaton. The question was motivated by an open problem on the existence of Cayley automatic groups of intermediate growth.

math.GR↗
arXiv2013

Conjugacy in Baumslag's group, generic case complexity, and division in power circuits

The conjugacy problem belongs to algorithmic group theory. It is the following question: given two words x, y over generators of a fixed group G, decide whether x and y are conjugated, i.e., whether there exists some z such that zxz^{-1} = y in G. The conjugacy problem is more difficult than the word problem, in general. We investigate the complexity of the conjugacy problem for two prominent groups: the Baumslag-Solitar group BS(1,2) and the Baumslag(-Gersten) group G(1,2). The conjugacy problem in BS(1,2) is TC^0-complete. To the best of our knowledge BS(1,2) is the first natural infinite non-commutative group where such a precise and low complexity is shown. The Baumslag group G(1,2) is an HNN-extension of BS(1,2). We show that the conjugacy problem is decidable (which has been known before); but our results go far beyond decidability. In particular, we are able to show that conjugacy in G(1,2) can be solved in polynomial time in a strongly generic setting. This means that essentially for all inputs conjugacy in G(1,2) can be decided efficiently. In contrast, we show that under a plausible assumption the average case complexity of the same problem is non-elementary. Moreover, we provide a lower bound for the conjugacy problem in G(1,2) by reducing the division problem in power circuits to the conjugacy problem in G(1,2). The complexity of the division problem in power circuits is an open and interesting problem in integer arithmetic.

cs.DM↗
arXiv2013

Quadratic equations in the Grigorchuk group

We provide an algorithm which, for a given quadratic equation in the Grigorchuk group determines if it has a solution. As a corollary to our approach, we prove that the group has a finite commutator width.

math.GR↗
arXiv2011

Cayley automatic groups are not Cayley biautomatic

We show that there are Cayley automatic groups that are not Cayley biautomatic. In addition, we show that there are Cayley automatic groups with undecidable Conjugacy Problem and that the Isomorphism Problem is undecidable in the clas of Cayley automatic groups.

math.GR↗
arXiv2011

From automatic structures to automatic groups

In this paper we introduce the concept of a Cayley graph automatic group (CGA group or graph automatic group, for short) which generalizes the standard notion of an automatic group. Like the usual automatic groups graph automatic ones enjoy many nice properties: these group are invariant under the change of generators, they are closed under direct and free products, certain types of amalgamated products, and finite extensions. Furthermore, the Word Problem in graph automatic groups is decidable in quadratic time. However, the class of graph automatic groups is much wider then the class of automatic groups. For example, we prove that all finitely generated 2-nilpotent groups and Baumslag-Solitar groups B(1,n) are graph automatic, as well as many other metabelian groups.

math.GR↗
arXiv2010

Exponentially generic subsets of groups

In this paper we study the generic, i.e., typical, behavior of finitely generated subgroups of hyperbolic groups and also the generic behavior of the word problem for amenable groups. We show that a random set of elements of a nonelementary word hyperbolic group is very likely to be a set of free generators for a nicely embedded free subgroup. We also exhibit some finitely presented amenable groups for which the restriction of the word problem is unsolvable on every sufficiently large subset of words.

math.GR↗
arXiv2009

Groups with free regular length functions in Z^n

This is the first paper in a series of three where we take on the unified theory of non-Archimedean group actions, length functions and infinite words. Our main goal is to show that group actions on Z^n-trees give one a powerful tool to study groups. All finitely generated groups acting freely on -trees also act freely on some Z^n-trees, but the latter ones form a much larger class. The natural effectiveness of all constructions for $Z^n-actions (which is not the case for R-trees) comes along with a robust algorithmic theory. In this paper we describe the algebraic structure of finitely generated groups acting freely and regularly on Z^n-trees and give necessary and sufficient conditions for such actions.

math.GR↗
arXiv2009

Geodesic rewriting systems and pregroups

In this paper we study rewriting systems for groups and monoids, focusing on situations where finite convergent systems may be difficult to find or do not exist. We consider systems which have no length increasing rules and are confluent and then systems in which the length reducing rules lead to geodesics. Combining these properties we arrive at our main object of study which we call geodesically perfect rewriting systems. We show that these are well-behaved and convenient to use, and give several examples of classes of groups for which they can be constructed from natural presentations. We describe a Knuth-Bendix completion process to construct such systems, show how they may be found with the help of Stallings' pregroups and conversely may be used to construct such pregroups.

math.GR↗
arXiv2007

A Geometric Zero-One Law

Each relational structure X has an associated Gaifman graph, which endows X with the properties of a graph. Suppose that X is infinite, connected and of bounded degree. A first-order sentence in the language of X is almost surely true (resp. a.s. false) for finite substructures of X if for every element x in X, the fraction of substructures of the ball of radius n around x which satisfy the sentence approaches 1 (resp. 0) as n approaches infinity. Suppose further that, for every finite substructure, X has a disjoint isomorphic substructure. Then every sentence is a.s. true or a.s. false for finite substructures of X. This is one form of the geometric zero-one law. We formulate it also in a form that does not mention the ambient infinite structure. In addition, we investigate various questions related to the geometric zero-one law.

math.LO↗
arXiv2006

Algebraic extensions in free groups

The aim of this paper is to unify the points of view of three recent and independent papers (Ventura 1997, Margolis, Sapir and Weil 2001 and Kapovich and Miasnikov 2002), where similar modern versions of a 1951 theorem of Takahasi were given. We develop a theory of algebraic extensions for free groups, highlighting the analogies and differences with respect to the corresponding classical field-theoretic notions, and we discuss in detail the notion of algebraic closure. We apply that theory to the study and the computation of certain algebraic properties of subgroups (e.g. being malnormal, pure, inert or compressed, being closed in certain profinite topologies) and the corresponding closure operators. We also analyze the closure of a subgroup under the addition of solutions of certain sets of equations.

math.GR↗
arXiv2005

The halting problem is decidable on a set of asymptotic probability one

The halting problem for Turing machines is decidable on a set of asymptotic probability one. Specifically, there is a set B of Turing machine programs such that (i) B has asymptotic probability one, so that as the number of states n increases, the proportion of all n-state programs that are in B goes to one; (ii) B is polynomial time decidable; and (iii) the halting problem H intersect B is polynomial time decidable. The proof is sensitive to the particular computational model.

math.LO↗