# Group presentation of a direct product.

Suppose $$G_1=\langle X_1|R_1\rangle$$, $$G_2=\langle X_2|R_2\rangle$$, $$X_1\cap X_2=\emptyset$$. I want to show that $$G_1\times G_2=\langle X_1\cup X_2|R_1\cup R_2\cup[X_1,X_2] \rangle$$.

By using universal property of free groups, I have obtained homomorphisms $$f_i:F(X_i)\rightarrow F(X_1 \cup X_2)$$. Also I can define homomorphisms $$\pi_i:F(X_i) \rightarrow G_i$$ such that $$\ker(\pi_i)= R_i^{F(X_i)}=$$ normal closure of $$R_i$$.

I want to define a group $$G = \langle X_1\cup X_2|R\rangle$$ with $$R$$ satisfying the conditions of direct product, and somehow $$R$$ contains $$[X_1,X_2]$$. But I'm kind of stuck here.

• Try sending $(g,h)$ to $gh$ in the group defined using generators and relations – leibnewtz Jun 12 '17 at 11:24
• Can you be a little more explicit? Suppose that I define $H=\langle X_1 \cup X_2 | R_1 \cup R_2 \cup [X_1,X_2]\rangle$, and $G_1 \times G_2=\{(g,h)|g\in G_1, h \in G_2\}$, and I define a function $\phi:G_1\times G_2 \rightarrow H$, sending $(g,h)$ to $gh$, are you saying that I should try to prove $\phi$ is an isomorphism? – Sid Caroline Jun 12 '17 at 11:54
• Yup. Try to show first that it's a homomorphism, then that it's injective, and last that it's surjective. At each step you'll have to use the relations in $H$. – leibnewtz Jun 12 '17 at 11:56
• You could define a homomorphism $\psi:H \to G_1 \times G_2$ that restricts to the identity on $X_1$ and $X_2$, and then show that $\phi$ and $\psi$ are mutually inverse maps. That implies that they are both bijective. – Derek Holt Jun 12 '17 at 16:43
• If $gh=e$, then $g=h^{-1}$. What can you say about $g$ and $h$? Hint: They're words in $X_1$ and $X_2$ respectively. For surjectivity, take an arbitrary word in $X_1 \cup X_2$, and see if you can rewrite it in an appropriate sense. Or you could take Derek Holt's approach. Either way should work – leibnewtz Jun 12 '17 at 21:57