Non-freeness of parabolic two-generator groups

TL;DR

This paper characterizes relation numbers in parabolic two-generator groups using generalized Chebyshev polynomials, providing an algorithm to determine whether a number is a relation number, and explores the conjecture about rational numbers in (-4, 4).

Contribution

It establishes a novel characterization of relation numbers via roots of generalized Chebyshev polynomials and develops an algorithm for their identification.

Findings

Characterization of relation numbers through generalized Chebyshev polynomials.

Finite checkability for relation numbers of a given degree.

Support for the conjecture regarding rational numbers in (-4, 4).

Abstract

A complex number $\lambda$ is said to be non-free if the subgroup of $SL(2,\bc)$ generated by $$X=\begin{pmatrix} 1& 1\\ 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix} \,\, \text{and}\,\,\,Y_{\lambda}=\begin{pmatrix} 1& 0\\ \lambda & 1 \end{pmatrix}$$ is not a free group of rank 2. In this case the number $\lambda$ is called a relation number, and it has been a long standing problem to determine the relation numbers. In this paper, we characterize the relation numbers by establishing the equivalence between $\lambda$ being a relation number and $u:=\sqrt{- \lambda}$ being a root of a `generalized Chebyshev polynomial'. The generalized Chebyshev polynomials of degree $k$ are given by a sequence of $k$ integers $(n_1, n_2,\cdots, n_k)$ using the usual recursive formula, and thereby can be studied systematically using continuants and continued fractions. Such formulation, then, enables us to prove that, the question whether a given number $\lambda$ is a relation number of $u$-degree $k$ can be answered by checking only finitely many generalized Chebyshev polynomials. Based on these theorems, we design an algorithm deciding any given number is a relation number with minimal degree $k$. With its computer implementation we provide a few sample examples, with a particular emphasis on the well known conjecture that every rational number in the interval $(-4, 4)$ is a relation number.