6
$\begingroup$

In a group of exponent $2^n$, is the following equality true?

$[x^{2^{n-1}},\underbrace{y^{2^{n-1}},\ldots,y^{2^{n-1}}}_n]=1$.

Here, $[a, b, c]=[[a, b], c]$.


Call the above question "Question 2". In this related question (which we shall call "Question 1"), the OP asked whether $[x, y, y, y]$ is trivial in a group of exponent four. However, the post containing Question 1 has been edited heavily to also ask Question 2. Hence, I have posted this thread, which is meant as an outlet for Question 2. This means that Question 2 will no longer detracts from the original, tough, and rather interesting question which is Question 1. I hope this make sense to you...

$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ This theorem is a particular case of the following more general theorem: Group of exponent $2n$ implies that $[x^n,y^n]^n = Identity$. The reason is that, as @user1729 is showing, Group of exponent $2^n$ implies that $[x^{2^{n-1}},y^{2^{n-1}},\dotsc,y^{2^{n-1}}]=[x^{2^{n-1}},y^{2^{n-1}}]^{2^{n-1}}$ Do you agree? $\endgroup$ Aug 20, 2014 at 14:08
  • $\begingroup$ No, I do not think it is a special case. This is because the result in the question does not obviously follow from the one you state. $\endgroup$
    – user1729
    Aug 20, 2014 at 15:05
  • $\begingroup$ Hi @user1729, then you consider that the two theorems are independent among them? $\endgroup$ Aug 20, 2014 at 17:19
  • $\begingroup$ Other theorem: Group with exponent $2n$ implies that $$[[x^n,y^n],y^n][x^n,y^n]^{n-2} = Identity$$ $\endgroup$ Aug 21, 2014 at 2:16

1 Answer 1

8
$\begingroup$

Yes. I will prove a lemma using induction, which I will apply to prove the result. I will use the convention $[a, b]=a^{-1}b^{-1}ab$ in my proofs: using a different convention does not alter the result, and the proofs would be equivalent up to notation changes.

Lemma: If $a$ and $b$ have order two then the following holds.

  • If $n$ is even, $[a,\underbrace{b,\ldots,b}_n]=(ba)^{2^n}$

  • If $n$ is odd, $[a,\underbrace{b,\ldots,b}_n]=(ab)^{2^n}$

Proof: We will induct on $n$. If $n=1$ then $[a, b]=a^{-1}b^{-1}ab=abab=(ab)^2$, so the result holds.

There are two cases for the induction step: $n=k-1$ is even, or $n=k-1$ is odd. Suppose the result holds for $n=k-1$ where $n=k-1$ is odd. We will prove it for $k$. So, begin with the following. $$\begin{align*} [a,\underbrace{b,\ldots,b}_k] &=[a,\underbrace{b,\ldots,b}_{k-1}, b]\\ &=[(ab)^{2^{k-1}}, b]\\ &=(ab)^{-2^{k-1}}b(ab)^{2^{k-1}}b\\ &=(ba)^{2^{k-1}}(ba)^{2^{k-1}}\\ &=(ba)^{2^{k-1}+2^{k-1}}=(ba)^{2^{k}} \end{align*}$$ The proof for $n=k-1$ odd is analogous.

Theorem: In a group of exponent $2^n$, the following identity holds. $$[x^{2^{n-1}},\underbrace{y^{2^{n-1}},\ldots,y^{2^{n-1}}}_n]=1$$

Proof: From the above lemma, we see that $[x^{2^{n-1}},\underbrace{y^{2^{n-1}},\ldots,y^{2^{n-1}}}_n]$ is equal to either $(x^{2^{n-1}}y^{2^{n-1}})^{2^n}$ or $(y^{2^{n-1}}x^{2^{n-1}})^{2^n}$. As the group has exponent $2^n$, the result follows.

$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ Very nice proof, congratulations. $\endgroup$ Aug 19, 2014 at 10:59

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .