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arXiv · 2601.12112

One-variable equations over the lamplighter group

Alexander Ushakov·Yankun Wang
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Abstract

We study one-variable equations over the lamplighter group $L_2=\MZ_2 \wr \MZ$. While the decidability of arbitrary equations over $L_2$ remains open, we prove that the Diophantine problem for single equations in one variable is decidable. Our approach reduces the problem to a divisibility question for families of parametric Laurent polynomials over $\MZ_2$, whose exponents depend linearly on an integer parameter. To analyze this divisibility problem, we introduce a symbolic division procedure for associated bivariate polynomials and derive explicit bounds on the parameter from the structure of the resulting quotient and remainder. This yields an explicit decision procedure with exponential worst-case complexity. On the other hand, we show that for a generic class of equations, solvability can be decided in nearly quadratic time. These results establish a sharp contrast between worst-case and typical computational behavior and provide new tools for the study of equations over wreath products.

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Alexander Ushakov, Yankun Wang. 2026-08-28. One-variable equations over the lamplighter group. https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.12112

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