The Kaplansky conjectures

Abstract: Three conjectures on group rings of torsion-free groups are commonly attributed to Kaplansky, namely the unit, zero divisor and idempotent conjectures. For example, the zero divisor conjecture predicts that if $K$ is a field and $G$ is a torsion-free group, then the group ring $K[G]$ has no zero divisors. I will discuss these conjectures and their relationship to other conjectures and properties of groups. I will then explain how modern solvers for Boolean satisfiability can be applied to them, producing the first counterexample to the unit conjecture.

algebraic topologydifferential geometrydynamical systemsgroup theorygeometric topologysymplectic geometry

Audience: researchers in the topic

( paper | slides )

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Geometry and topology online

Series comments: You can also find up-to-date information on the seminar homepage - warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/maths/research/events/seminars/areas/geomtop/

The talks start five minutes after the hour. Talks are typically 55 minutes long, including time for questions.

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