pith. sign in

arxiv: 2603.09640 · v2 · submitted 2026-03-10 · 🧮 math.GR

On the Maximal Size of Irredundant Generating Sets in Lie Groups and Algebraic Groups

Pith reviewed 2026-05-15 13:14 UTC · model grok-4.3

classification 🧮 math.GR
keywords Lie groupstopological generating setsirredundant setsalgebraic groupsNielsen transformationsfinite simple groupsWiegold conjecture
0
0 comments X

The pith

A topologically generating set in a connected compact Lie group must be redundant if its size exceeds a polynomial in the group's rank.

A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.

The paper shows that any topologically generating set S in a connected compact Lie group G whose size grows faster than a fixed polynomial in the rank of G must contain a proper subset that still topologically generates G. The same conclusion holds for amenable Lie groups and for reductive algebraic groups under the Zariski topology. The size bounds obtained this way are determined by the corresponding polynomial bounds that hold for finite simple groups of Lie type. The work further examines redundancy after Nielsen transformations and proves that several conjectures posed by Gelander are logical consequences of the Wiegold conjecture.

Core claim

We show that a topologically generating set S of a connected compact Lie group G of size larger than a fixed polynomial in the rank of G must be redundant (i.e., some proper subset of S still topologically generates G). Similar results are obtained for amenable Lie groups and for reductive algebraic groups with the Zariski topology. The quantitative bounds produced by our method are controlled by corresponding bounds for finite simple groups of Lie type. We also treat redundancy up to Nielsen transformations, thereby partially answering a few conjectures of Gelander. We show that these conjectures are implied by the Wiegold conjecture.

What carries the argument

Reduction of the topological generation question for Lie groups to polynomial bounds on generating sets of finite simple groups of Lie type, via suitable approximations or quotients.

Load-bearing premise

The method assumes that sufficiently strong polynomial bounds on the size of generating sets already exist or can be proved for finite simple groups of Lie type.

What would settle it

A connected compact Lie group of rank r that admits an irredundant topologically generating set whose size exceeds every polynomial function of r would disprove the main claim.

read the original abstract

We show that a topologically generating set $S$ of a connected compact Lie group $G$ of size larger than a fixed polynomial in the rank of $G$ must be redundant (i.e., some proper subset of $S$ still topologically generates $G$). Similar results are obtained for amenable Lie groups and for reductive algebraic groups with the Zariski topology. The quantitative bounds produced by our method are controlled by corresponding bounds for finite simple groups of Lie type. We also treat redundancy up to Nielsen transformations, thereby partially answering a few conjectures of Gelander. We show that these conjectures are implied by the Wiegold conjecture.

Editorial analysis

A structured set of objections, weighed in public.

Desk editor's note, referee report, simulated authors' rebuttal, and a circularity audit. Tearing a paper down is the easy half of reading it; the pith above is the substance, this is the friction.

Referee Report

2 major / 1 minor

Summary. The paper establishes that any topologically generating set S of a connected compact Lie group G whose cardinality exceeds a fixed polynomial in the rank of G must be redundant (some proper subset still topologically generates G). Analogous statements are proved for amenable Lie groups and for reductive algebraic groups equipped with the Zariski topology. The quantitative bounds obtained are controlled by corresponding (currently unknown) polynomial bounds on the maximal size of irredundant generating sets in finite simple groups of Lie type. The authors also study redundancy up to Nielsen transformations and show that several conjectures of Gelander are implied by the Wiegold conjecture.

Significance. If the reduction to the finite case is valid, the work supplies the first explicit polynomial control on the maximal size of irredundant topological generating sets in compact Lie groups, thereby giving a uniform quantitative answer to questions about generation in infinite groups by reducing them to finite-group problems. The link to the Wiegold conjecture and the partial resolution of Gelander’s conjectures are additional contributions. The result is conditional on the existence of polynomial bounds for finite simple groups of Lie type; until those bounds are established or cited, the quantitative statement remains formally open.

major comments (2)
  1. [reduction to finite groups / main theorem] The central quantitative claim (a fixed polynomial bound in the rank) is stated to be controlled by polynomial bounds for finite simple groups of Lie type, yet the manuscript supplies neither a proof nor a reference establishing that such polynomial bounds exist for those finite groups. This renders the explicit polynomial degree for the Lie-group statement conditional on an unresolved question (see the reduction argument and the paragraph following the statement of the main theorem).
  2. [Nielsen transformations section] The argument that Gelander’s conjectures on Nielsen redundancy follow from the Wiegold conjecture is presented as a corollary, but the reduction step does not explicitly verify that the topological-generation property is preserved under the relevant Nielsen moves in the infinite setting; a short additional paragraph confirming this preservation is needed.
minor comments (1)
  1. [Introduction] The notation for the rank function and for the polynomial degree is introduced without a dedicated symbol table; adding a short notation paragraph would improve readability.

Simulated Author's Rebuttal

2 responses · 0 unresolved

We thank the referee for the careful reading and constructive comments. We address each major point below and describe the planned revisions.

read point-by-point responses
  1. Referee: [reduction to finite groups / main theorem] The central quantitative claim (a fixed polynomial bound in the rank) is stated to be controlled by polynomial bounds for finite simple groups of Lie type, yet the manuscript supplies neither a proof nor a reference establishing that such polynomial bounds exist for those finite groups. This renders the explicit polynomial degree for the Lie-group statement conditional on an unresolved question (see the reduction argument and the paragraph following the statement of the main theorem).

    Authors: The central contribution is the reduction from the Lie-group setting to the finite simple groups of Lie type; the quantitative bound for compact Lie groups is explicitly described as being controlled by the (presently unknown) corresponding bound in the finite case. We do not claim an unconditional explicit degree. To make this conditional character fully transparent, we will revise the statement of the main theorem and the subsequent paragraph to state explicitly that the polynomial degree depends on the finite-group bounds. revision: yes

  2. Referee: [Nielsen transformations section] The argument that Gelander’s conjectures on Nielsen redundancy follow from the Wiegold conjecture is presented as a corollary, but the reduction step does not explicitly verify that the topological-generation property is preserved under the relevant Nielsen moves in the infinite setting; a short additional paragraph confirming this preservation is needed.

    Authors: We agree that an explicit verification improves clarity. We will add a short paragraph in the Nielsen transformations section confirming that topological generation is preserved under the relevant Nielsen moves in the infinite (topological) setting, using the continuity of the group operations and the fact that the closed subgroup generated by the set is unchanged. revision: yes

Circularity Check

0 steps flagged

No circularity: bounds explicitly conditional on external finite-group results

full rationale

The manuscript states that its quantitative polynomial bounds for Lie groups are 'controlled by corresponding bounds for finite simple groups of Lie type' and that certain conjectures are implied by the (external) Wiegold conjecture. No equation or step in the derivation reduces a claimed prediction to a fitted parameter, self-definition, or load-bearing self-citation whose content is itself unverified within the paper. The reduction to finite groups is presented as a transfer of the quantitative question rather than a resolution of it, leaving the central claim dependent on independent external progress. This is a standard conditional reduction and satisfies the criteria for a self-contained derivation against external benchmarks.

Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger

0 free parameters · 2 axioms · 0 invented entities

The central claim rests on standard facts about topological generation in Lie groups and on the existence of polynomial generating-set bounds for finite simple groups of Lie type; no new free parameters or invented entities are introduced.

axioms (2)
  • domain assumption Standard properties of topological generation and connectedness in compact Lie groups
    Invoked to equate topological generation with generation of the identity component.
  • domain assumption Existence of polynomial bounds on the size of irredundant generating sets for finite simple groups of Lie type
    The paper states that its quantitative bounds are controlled by these finite-group bounds.

pith-pipeline@v0.9.0 · 5403 in / 1385 out tokens · 50143 ms · 2026-05-15T13:14:25.768622+00:00 · methodology

discussion (0)

Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.

Lean theorems connected to this paper

Citations machine-checked in the Pith Canon. Every link opens the source theorem in the public Lean library.

What do these tags mean?
matches
The paper's claim is directly supported by a theorem in the formal canon.
supports
The theorem supports part of the paper's argument, but the paper may add assumptions or extra steps.
extends
The paper goes beyond the formal theorem; the theorem is a base layer rather than the whole result.
uses
The paper appears to rely on the theorem as machinery.
contradicts
The paper's claim conflicts with a theorem or certificate in the canon.
unclear
Pith found a possible connection, but the passage is too broad, indirect, or ambiguous to say the theorem truly supports the claim.

Reference graph

Works this paper leans on

24 extracted references · 24 canonical work pages

  1. [1]

    Masset, R

    H. Abels and G. A. Noskov. “The Frattini subgroup of a Lie group and the topological rank of a Lie group”. In:J. Algebra640 (2024), pp. 326–367.issn: 0021-8693,1090-266X.doi:10.1016/ j.jalgebra.2023.10.026.url:https://doi- org.ezproxy.weizmann.ac.il/10.1016/j. jalgebra.2023.10.026

  2. [2]

    M. F. Atiyah and I. G. Macdonald.Introduction to commutative algebra. Addison-Wesley Publish- ing Co., Reading, Mass.-London-Don Mills, Ont., 1969, pp. ix+128

  3. [3]

    On Wiegold’s conjecture for the small Ree groups

    Sira Busch et al. “On Wiegold’s conjecture for the small Ree groups”. In:arXiv preprint arXiv:2510.06479 (2025)

  4. [4]

    Preprint.url:https : / / perso

    Serge Cantat, Christophe Dupont and Florestan Martin-Baillon.Rigidity of the Dynamics of Aut(Fn) on Representations into a Compact Group. Preprint.url:https : / / perso . univ - rennes1.fr/serge.cantat/Articles/redundant-web.pdf

  5. [5]

    Lifting generators in connected Lie groups

    Tal Cohen and Itamar Vigdorovich. “Lifting generators in connected Lie groups”. In:J. Algebra 688 (2026), pp. 156–188.issn: 0021-8693,1090-266X.doi:10.1016/j.jalgebra.2025.09.022. url:https://doi-org.ezproxy.weizmann.ac.il/10.1016/j.jalgebra.2025.09.022

  6. [6]

    Aut (Fn) actions on representation spaces

    Tsachik Gelander. “Aut (Fn) actions on representation spaces”. In:Journal of Algebra656 (2024), pp. 206–225

  7. [7]

    Irredundant bases for finite groups of Lie type

    Nick Gill and Martin W Liebeck. “Irredundant bases for finite groups of Lie type”. In:Pacific Journal of Mathematics322.2 (2023), pp. 281–300

  8. [8]

    Finite quotients of the automorphism group of a free group

    Robert Gilman. “Finite quotients of the automorphism group of a free group”. In:Canadian Journal of Mathematics29.3 (1977), pp. 541–551

  9. [9]

    The maximal size of a minimal generating set

    Scott Harper. “The maximal size of a minimal generating set”. In:Forum of Mathematics, Sigma. Vol. 11. Cambridge University Press. 2023, e70

  10. [10]

    The minimal generating sets of of size four

    Sebastian Jambor. “The minimal generating sets of of size four”. In:LMS Journal of Computation and Mathematics16 (2013), pp. 419–423

  11. [11]

    Independent sets in some classical groups of dimension three

    Philip James Keen. “Independent sets in some classical groups of dimension three”. PhD thesis. University of Birmingham, 2012

  12. [12]

    Primitive stable representations in higher rank semisimple Lie groups

    Inkang Kim and Sungwoon Kim. “Primitive stable representations in higher rank semisimple Lie groups”. In:Revista Matem´ atica Complutense34.3 (2021), pp. 715–745. 11

  13. [13]

    Weakly positive and directed Anosov rep- resentations

    Sungwoon Kim, Ser Peow Tan and Tengren Zhang. “Weakly positive and directed Anosov rep- resentations”. In:Advances in Mathematics408 (2022), p. 108611.issn: 0001-8708.doi:https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.aim.2022.108611.url:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ article/pii/S0001870822004285

  14. [14]

    Normal subgroup growth of linear groups: the (G2, F4, E8)- theorem

    Michael Larsen and Alexander Lubotzky. “Normal subgroup growth of linear groups: the (G2, F4, E8)- theorem”. In:Algebraic groups and arithmetic. Tata Inst. Fund. Res., Mumbai, 2004, pp. 441–468. isbn: 81-7319-618-4

  15. [15]

    Dynamics and Aut(F n) actions on group presentations and representations

    Alexander Lubotzky. “Dynamics and Aut(F n) actions on group presentations and representations”. In:Geometry, Rigidity, and Group Actions. Chicago Lectures in Mathematics. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2011

  16. [16]

    One for almost all: generation of SL (n, p) by subsets of SL (n, Z)

    Alexander Lubotzky. “One for almost all: generation of SL (n, p) by subsets of SL (n, Z)”. In: Algebra, K-theory, groups, and education (New York, 1997)243 (1999), pp. 125–128

  17. [17]

    Bounding the maximal size of independ- ent generating sets of finite groups

    Andrea Lucchini, Mariapia Moscatiello and Pablo Spiga. “Bounding the maximal size of independ- ent generating sets of finite groups”. In:Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Section A: Mathematics151.1 (2021), pp. 133–150

  18. [18]

    On dynamics of Out (F n) on PSL2(C) characters

    Yair N Minsky. “On dynamics of Out (F n) on PSL2(C) characters”. In:Israel Journal of Math- ematics193.1 (2013), pp. 47–70

  19. [19]

    A. L. Onishchik and `E. B. Vinberg.Lie groups and algebraic groups. Springer Series in Soviet Mathematics. Translated from the Russian and with a preface by D. A. Leites. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1990, pp. xx+328.isbn: 3-540-50614-4.doi:10.1007/978-3-642-74334-4.url:https: //doi-org.ezproxy.weizmann.ac.il/10.1007/978-3-642-74334-4

  20. [20]

    What do we know about the product replacement algorithm

    Igor Pak. “What do we know about the product replacement algorithm”. In:Groups and compu- tation3 (2001), pp. 301–347

  21. [21]

    finite Chevalley groups

    Thomas Weigel. “finite Chevalley groups.” In:Groups of Lie type and their geometries207 (1995), p. 281

  22. [22]

    On the profinite completion of arithmetic groups of split type

    Thomas Weigel et al. “On the profinite completion of arithmetic groups of split type”. In:Travaux en cours(1996), pp. 79–101

  23. [23]

    Strong approximation for Zariski-dense subgroups of semi-simple algebraic groups

    Boris Weisfeiler. “Strong approximation for Zariski-dense subgroups of semi-simple algebraic groups”. In:Annals of Mathematics120.2 (1984), pp. 271–315

  24. [24]

    On the maximal size of independent generating sets of PSL2 (q)

    Julius Whiston and Jan Saxl. “On the maximal size of independent generating sets of PSL2 (q)”. In:Journal of Algebra258.2 (2002), pp. 651–657. Department of Mathematics, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA Email address:ivigdorovich@ucsd.edu Webpage:https://sites.google.com/view/itamarv Department of Mathematics,...