Undecidability of the stabilizer and zero-in-the-corner problems for matrix groups

The upper-left-corner problem and upper-right-corner problem for matrix semigroups with integer entries are known to be undecidable. Here we study the analogous problems for matrix groups and prove their undecidability for rational entries, by reducing to the undecidability of the word problem for groups. To reach this goal, we answer a question of Dixon from 1985 by proving the undecidability of the stabilizer problem for matrix groups. Our results can also be interpreted as showing the undecidability of the multi-matrices analogue of the classical Skolem problem.

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Publication Details

Journal
International Journal of Algebra and Computation
Published
2025-06-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1142/s0218196725500286
Primary Topic
semigroups and automata theory
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Undecidability of the stabilizer and zero-in-the-corner problems for matrix groups

Emmanuel Breuillard, Georgi Kocharyan
International Journal of Algebra and Computation
semigroups and automata theory
article

Undecidability of the stabilizer and zero-in-the-corner problems for matrix groups

Emmanuel Breuillard, Georgi Kocharyan
article en

Abstract

The upper-left-corner problem and upper-right-corner problem for matrix semigroups with integer entries are known to be undecidable. Here we study the analogous problems for matrix groups and prove their undecidability for rational entries, by reducing to the undecidability of the word problem for groups. To reach this goal, we answer a question of Dixon from 1985 by proving the undecidability of the stabilizer problem for matrix groups. Our results can also be interpreted as showing the undecidability of the multi-matrices analogue of the classical Skolem problem.

International Journal of Algebra and ComputationVol. 35(06)
St. Catharine College (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 85%
semigroups and automata theory
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