Tietze Transformations
Given a group $G$ there are infinitely many group presentations for $G$. If we have a group presentation for $G$ then we can perform what are called "Tietze transformations" in order to get a new group presentation of the same group. We state the Tietze transformations below:
Let $G = \langle a, b, ... : P, Q, ... \rangle$ be a group presentation of $G$.
- Transformation 1 (Inserting a Relation): If $U$ is a relation that can be obtained from $P$, $Q$, …, then insert $U$:
- Transformation 2 (Deleting a Relation): If $U$ is a relation in $\{ P, Q, ... \}$ that is a consequence of $P$, $Q$, …, then delete $U$.
- Transformation 3 (Inserting a Generator): If $x$ is a generator that can be expressed in terms of the other generators $a, b, ...$ by a relation $x = W(a, b, ... )$, then insert $x$:
- Transformation 4 (Deleting a Generator): If $x$ is a generator in $\{ a, b, ... \}$ then delete $x$ and replace all instances of $x$ in the relations $\{ P, Q, ... \}$.
Definition: Two group presentations are said to be Equivalent if one can be transformed into the other by Tietze transformations. |
Let's look at an example of a Tietze transformation.
Example 1
Use Tietze transformations to transform the group presentation $\langle a, b, c : b^3 = 1, (bc)^3 = 1 \rangle$ into the group presentation $\langle x, y, z : x^3 = 1, y^3 = 1 \rangle$.
We start with the first group presentation:
(3)Introduce a new variable $y$ with the relation $y = bc$ (3):
(4)Delete the variable $c$ (4):
(6)Introduce a new variable $x$ with the relation $x = b$ (3):
(7)Delete the variable $b$ (4):
(8)Introduce a new variable $z$ with the relation $z = a$ (3):
(9)Delete the variable $a$ (4):
(10)