30 Jan
2003
30 Jan
'03
12:08 a.m.
I learned from some recent postings on sci.math.research that if F(r) is a free group (on r >= 2 generators), and if G^n denotes the subgroup generated by all nth powers of elements of a group G, then it's unknown whether the quotient group, B(r,n) = F(r) / F(r)^5 is finite or infinite. It is known that B(r,n) is always finite for n = 2,3,4, and 6 (cf. Marshall Hall's book, "Group Theory"), as well as for sufficiently large n (apparently independent of r). --Dan