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For a torsion-free group $G$ and finite-index subgroup $H$, $G$ is a Poincare duality group of dimension $n$ if and only if $H$ is. Finite-index induction and coinduction of $\mathbb{Z}H$ coincide and give $\mathbb{Z}G$, so Shapiro's lemma identifies their group-ring cohomology as abelian groups. The finite-index finiteness and cohomological-dimension lemmas supply finite projective resolutions. Without torsion-freeness of $G$ the converse fails: $\mathbb{Z}\times C_2$ contains the index-two $P{D}^1$ subgroup $\mathbb{Z}$ but has infinite integral cohomological dimension.

A modular form on an arbitrary finite-index subgroup $\Gamma \le S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})$ is a holomorphic function on the complex upper half-plane, invariant under the weight-$k$ slash operator for modular forms, and holomorphic at a cusp at every cusp of a modular group for $\Gamma$. If $\sigma \in S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})$ maps infinity to a cusp, choose a genuine translation period $h>0$ with $\sigma T^h{\sigma }^{-1}\in \Gamma$. Then $f{|}_k\sigma$ has a convergent series in $e^{2\pi iz/h}$ with nonnegative exponents. A cusp form has zero constant term at every cusp. This definition allows noncongruence subgroups and avoids sign ambiguities in odd weights when a smaller width is defined only modulo the center.

The orbifold fundamental group records loops together with their local isotropy relations, so a loop around a cone point of order $m$ has its $m$th power trivial rather than being trivial itself. For an oriented closed surface of genus $g$ with cone orders $m_1,\dots ,m_r$, its presentation is $⟨a_1,b_1,\dots ,a_g,b_g,c_1,\dots ,c_r\mid c_i^{m_i}=1,{\prod }_j[a_j,b_j]c_1\cdots c_r=1⟩$. A torsion-free finite-index subgroup of a hyperbolic surface orbifold gives a smooth locally isometric surface cover. The absence of torsion means that the subgroup meets no nonidentity local cone stabilizer.

A nilpotent group has lower central series ${\gamma }_{1}G=G$, ${\gamma }_{j+1}G=[G,{\gamma }_{j}G]$ terminating at the identity. A polycyclic group has a finite subnormal series with cyclic factors, which may be finite or infinite.

If a nilpotent group is generated by finitely many elements, then ${\gamma }_{j}G/{\gamma }_{j+1}G$ is generated by the finitely many weight-$j$ iterated commutators in these generators. Modulo the next term, commutator identities make these quotients abelian and permit this collection of words. Each quotient is thus a finitely generated abelian group. Refine each by a series with cyclic factors and splice the refinements through the finite lower central series. This proves that a finitely generated nilpotent group is polycyclic.

For the duality-group assertion, first prove the useful finite-index reduction. Induct on the length of a polycyclic series, taking its last proper term $H◃G$. By induction $H$ has a finite-index poly-infinite cyclic group. Because $H$ is finitely generated, it has only finitely many subgroups of any fixed finite index. Intersect all automorphic images of that subgroup to obtain a characteristic finite-index subgroup $H_0\subset H$ which is still poly-infinite cyclic. It is normal in $G$. The quotient $G/H_0$ is finite-by-cyclic. If it is finite, $H_0$ already suffices; if its cyclic quotient is infinite, the subgroup generated by a lift of its generator is infinite cyclic and has finite index. Its preimage in $G$ is an extension of $H_0$ by $\mathbb{Z}$, hence poly-infinite cyclic. This proves polycyclic groups are virtually poly-infinite cyclic.

Take such a finite-index subgroup $P$ of the given dimension-three Poincare duality group. It is again a dimension-three duality group. The extension rule proved in Question 3, applied successively to its infinite cyclic series, makes $P$ a duality group of dimension equal to its Hirsch length. Hence that length is three. Its last quotient giveswhere $H$ has a poly-infinite cyclic series of length two. Thus $H\cong \mathbb{Z}⋊\mathbb{Z}$, with the last generator acting on the first by $+1$ or $-1$. In the first case $H={\mathbb{Z}}^2$. In the second case $H$ is the Klein-bottle group $⟨a,b\mid ba{b}^{-1}=a^{-1}⟩$. Its characteristic subgroup $⟨a,b^2⟩\cong {\mathbb{Z}}^2$ is the centralizer of its commutator subgroup $⟨a^2⟩$. Replace $H$ by this characteristic index-two subgroup if necessary. It remains normal in $P$, and the quotient is finite-by-infinite-cyclic. Taking the preimage of a finite-index infinite cyclic subgroup givesThis extension splits: any lift $t$ of the cyclic generator supplies a section. Therefore $P_0={\mathbb{Z}}^2{⋊}_B\mathbb{Z}$ for some $B\in G{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})$.

In additive notation on ${\mathbb{Z}}^2$, $[t,v]=(B-I)v$. All its other internal commutators vanish, so induction givesConsequentlyThis is the nilpotence criterion for an abelian-by-cyclic group. If $B=I$ the group is abelian; otherwise it is two-step nilpotent. The criterion concerns this actual semidirect product. A finite extension of it is only known to be virtually nilpotent: for example ${\mathbb{Z}}^2{⋊}_{-I}\mathbb{Z}$ is virtually abelian but its lower central series never terminates.

Write elements of the real Heisenberg group as $(x,y,z)$. Direct matrix multiplication and inversion giveThese formulas show that $N_k=(k\mathbb{Z}{)}^3$ is a subgroup. It is discrete. For the right quotient, multiplying by $(ka,kb,kc)$ changes the coordinates toThus $(x\mathrm{mod}k,y\mathrm{mod}k)$ is well defined on the quotient. Over a small base rectangle choose real lifts $x,y$ of its coordinates. Every coset above that rectangle has a representative $(x,y,z)$, and two such representatives differ precisely by $z\mapsto z+kc$. Henceis a smooth local trivialization. The fibres are circles, proving the locally trivial fibration over ${\mathbb{R}}^2/k{\mathbb{Z}}^2\cong T^2$. Reducing first $x,y$ and then $z$ also gives a compact fundamental region, so $N_k$ is cocompact.

The ambient Lie group is diffeomorphic to ${\mathbb{R}}^3$, hence simply connected and contractible. Its quotient has fundamental group $N_k$, and the first integral homology is its abelianization. Let $a=(k,0,0)$, $b=(0,k,0)$ and $c=(0,0,k)$. Every element is uniquely $a^m{b}^n{c}^{\ell }$, since its third coordinate is $k^{2}mn+k\ell$. The commutator formula isso $c$ is central and $[a,b]=c^k$. Every commutator lies in $(0,0,k^2\mathbb{Z})$, and this subgroup is generated by $[a,b]$. Thus $N_k^{\prime }=⟨c^k⟩$. The homomorphism $(x,y,z)\mapsto (x/k,y/k,z/k\mathrm{mod}k)$ is surjective onto ${\mathbb{Z}}^2\oplus \mathbb{Z}/k$ and has exactly this kernel; the cross term in multiplication is divisible by $k$ after dividing by $k$. ThereforeFor $k=1$ the last factor is trivial. This is the Scaled Heisenberg lattice, whose fibre is central but whose total group need not split as a direct product of groups.

Use integral coefficients throughout, allowing a nontrivial orientation character. A dimension-$d$ Poincare duality group has a finite resolution by finitely generated projective group-ring modules andas abelian groups. The action on the top copy of $\mathbb{Z}$ may be by signs. This group-ring criterion is particularly suited to the Lyndon–Hochschild–Serre spectral sequence.

Apply that sequence to the extension with coefficient module $\mathbb{Z}G$:As an $N$-module, $\mathbb{Z}G$ is a direct sum of copies of $\mathbb{Z}N$ indexed by the cosets in $Q$. Cohomology of $N$ commutes with this direct sum because its projective resolution is finitely generated. Hence the inner cohomology vanishes except when $b=n$, where it is a direct sum of rank-one groups indexed by $Q$. The $Q$-action shifts these summands freely and transitively, with possible signs from the orientation module. Choosing a generator in one summand and transporting it by $Q$ identifies the resulting left $Q$-module with its regular module $\mathbb{Z}Q$. The residual right group action records the orientation twist; it need not be trivial.

Now the duality of $Q$ says that the only nonzero $E_2$ term is $(a,b)=(q,n)$ and that this term is $\mathbb{Z}$ as an abelian group. No differential can enter or leave it. Therefore $H^{\ast }(G;\mathbb{Z}G)$ has exactly the duality pattern in degree $n+q$. The usual extension-resolution construction also supplies a resolution by finitely generated projective modules: combine the finite kernel and quotient resolutions, lift the quotient differentials and add the necessary homotopy corrections. Its total length is at most $n+q$. Alternatively, the same spectral sequence for arbitrary coefficient modules gives the dimension bound, while the extension finiteness lemma supplies finite generation of the resolution. The surviving top term makes the bound sharp. This proves the extension rule for Poincare duality groups:Requiring a trivial top orientation action would need an additional orientation condition; the untwisted conclusion is not implicit in the hypotheses.

We next need two precise auxiliary dimension results. The Strebel infinite-index subgroup theorem says that an infinite-index subgroup of an integral $P{D}^d$ group has integral cohomological dimension at most $d-1$. The Stallings-Swan theorem says that a group of integral cohomological dimension at most one is free, including the trivial group. Since $G/N$ contains an element of infinite order, $N$ has infinite index in $G$, so $\mathrm{cd}N\le 2$. If its dimension is at most one, the required free-group conclusion follows, with finite rank because $N$ is finitely presented.

Suppose instead that $\mathrm{cd}N=2$. Finite presentation gives a partial free resolution with finitely generated modules through degree two. The kernel in degree one is finitely generated and, because the integral cohomological dimension is two, projective. Truncating at this kernel gives a finite resolution by finitely generated projective modules. Thus $N$ has the finiteness needed for group-ring cohomology to commute with direct sums.

Choose an infinite-order element $\bar{t}\in G/N$, lift it to $t\in G$, and let $H$ be the preimage of $⟨\bar{t}⟩$. Then $H=N⋊⟨t⟩$. Restriction of $\mathbb{Z}H$ to $N$ yields copies of $\mathbb{Z}N$ indexed by all powers of $t$. For every $j$, the quotient generator acts on $H^j(N;\mathbb{Z}H)$ by shifting this direct sum, possibly with an automorphism on each copy. Its invariants vanish, since an invariant finite-support sequence must be zero. Its coinvariants are one copy of $H^j(N;\mathbb{Z}N)$: the shift relations identify successive copies, and any twists can be removed by transporting the identifications along the integer index.

The infinite cyclic group has integral cohomological dimension one, so only columns zero and one occur in the spectral sequence. Column zero vanishes and column one consists of these coinvariants. We obtain the cyclic-extension shift of group-ring cohomologyas abelian groups. Moreover $H^2(N;\mathbb{Z}N)\ne 0$. Here is a useful proof of that last point: if top cohomology of a finite projective resolution were zero, its last dual differential would be onto. Its target is projective, so that differential splits. Dualizing back splits the last injection of the original resolution, shortening it and contradicting integral cohomological dimension two.

It follows that $H^3(H;\mathbb{Z}H)\ne 0$, and hence $\mathrm{cd}H=3$. Strebel's theorem forces $H$ to have finite index in $G$. It is therefore itself a $P{D}^3$ group, by finite-index invariance of Poincare duality for torsion-free groups. The displayed shift now makes $H^j(N;\mathbb{Z}N)$ zero except for $j=2$, where it is $\mathbb{Z}$. Together with its finite projective resolution, this provesThe classification of two-dimensional Poincare duality groups identifies the latter with the fundamental group of a closed aspherical surface. This classification includes orientation-twisted surface groups; it does not include the two-sphere or real projective plane, whose fundamental groups do not have integral cohomological dimension two.

In this latter case we have also proved that $G/N$ is virtually infinite cyclic, since $H/N=⟨\bar{t}⟩$ has finite index. If necessary replace the surface group by its characteristic index-two orientable subgroup and take the subgroup generated by it and $t$. This still has finite index in $G$ and is a semidirect product of an orientable closed aspherical surface group by $\mathbb{Z}$. The Dehn-Nielsen-Baer theorem for closed orientable surfaces realizes the outer automorphism defined by conjugation by $t$ as a surface homeomorphism $f$. For the torus this is just realization of $G{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})$ by linear homeomorphisms. Changing the chosen lift accounts for an inner automorphism. The mapping torusis a surface bundle over $S^1$ with fundamental group ${\pi }_1(S){⋊}_{f_{\ast }}\mathbb{Z}$. Thus a finite-index subgroup of $G$ is the fundamental group of a surface fibration over the circle. Taking a further double cover of the base if required makes the monodromy orientation-preserving.

Apply part (i) with $S=L$ and use multiplicativity of the index of a subgroup along a subgroup chain:Thus the intersection of two finite-index subgroups again has finite index.

A soluble group, also called a solvable group, has a terminating derived series:For a subgroup $S\le G$, induction gives $S^{(j)}\le G^{(j)}$, so subgroups of soluble groups are soluble. For a surjective group homomorphism $q:G\to Q$, $q(G^{(j)})=Q^{(j)}$, so quotients of soluble groups are soluble. Finally, in a group extension $1\to K\to E\to Q\to 1$, suppose $K^{(r)}=1$ and $Q^{(s)}=1$. Then $E^{(s)}\le K$ and $E^{(s+r)}=1$. Soluble groups are closed under subgroups, quotients and group extensions.

A virtually soluble group contains a soluble group as a finite-index subgroup. The finite-index facts proved in parts (i)–(iii) imply closure under subgroups and quotients: intersect a finite-index soluble subgroup with the chosen subgroup, or take its image under the quotient map.

For group extensions, no finite-generation hypothesis may be inserted. We first establish the finite-index characteristic soluble subgroup lemma. If $K$ is a virtually soluble group, the kernel of its action on the cosets of a finite-index soluble subgroup is a soluble normal subgroup $K_0$ of finite index. Among soluble normal subgroups containing $K_0$, choose $R$ with maximal $|R/K_0|$, possible because $K/K_0$ is finite. If $S$ is any soluble normal subgroup of $K$, then $RS$ is soluble: it is an extension of $R$ by $S/(R\cap S)$. Maximality forces $S\le R$. Thus $R$ is the unique largest soluble normal subgroup of $K$, making it a characteristic subgroup, and it has finite index.

Now suppose $1\to K\to G\stackrel{\pi }{\to }Q\to 1$ has both $K$ and $Q$ virtually soluble. Replace $G$ by the preimage $G_0$ of a finite-index soluble subgroup of $Q$. The subgroup $R$ just constructed is characteristic in $K$ and therefore normal in $G_0$. In $E=G_0/R$, the subgroup $A=K/R$ is a finite normal subgroup, and $E/A$ is a soluble group. The centralizer $C_E(A)$ has finite index in $E$, since conjugation gives a map $E\to \mathrm{Aut}(A)$ with finite image. Its intersection with $A$ is the center of a group $Z(A)$, an abelian group, while its quotient by $Z(A)$ embeds in the soluble group $E/A$. Thus $C_E(A)$ is a soluble group. Its preimage in $G_0$ is an extension by $R$, so it too is soluble and has finite index in $G$. Virtually soluble groups are closed under group extensions.

For the final example take the restricted direct sum of groupswhere $A_5$ is the nonabelian simple group of even permutations on five letters. Every finite collection of elements lies in a product of finitely many finite factors, so $D$ is a locally finite group and hence a torsion group. It cannot contain a nonabelian free group, which is a torsion-free group.

To show that $D$ is not a virtually soluble group, let $H$ be any finite-index subgroup and let $N\le H$ be the kernel of the finite coset action. Each coordinate $A_5$ maps either injectively or trivially into the finite quotient $D/N$, by Simplicity of the alternating group A5. The nontrivial images of distinct factors commute, and each has trivial centre, so any $k$ of them generate a direct product of groups of order $60^k$. Only finitely many such images can occur in a finite quotient. Therefore $N$, and hence $H$, contains a whole coordinate copy of $A_5$, which is not soluble: its nontrivial commutator subgroup is normal and therefore equals $A_5$. No finite-index subgroup of $D$ is soluble.

First establish rational conjugation of finite-index modular subgroups without assuming that $\Gamma$ is a congruence subgroup. Multiply $\gamma$ by a positive integer to obtain an integral matrix $A$, and let $D=\det A>0$. Conjugation is unchanged by this scalar. If $h=I+DB\in \Gamma (D)$, thenThus the principal congruence subgroup $\Gamma (D)$ is contained in $H=S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})\cap {\gamma }^{-1}S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})\gamma$. It has finite index because reduction modulo $D$ has finite image. Inside $H$, pullback under conjugation of $\Gamma$ has relative index at most $[S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z}):\Gamma ]$. ConsequentlyThis argument does not assert that an arbitrary finite-index subgroup contains a principal congruence subgroup.

Use the determinant-normalized slash operatorThe positive real power of the determinant is used; on $S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})$ this reduces to the usual slash operator for modular forms. The automorphy factor identity gives the right-action rule $(f{|}_k\gamma ){|}_k\eta =f{|}_k(\gamma \eta )$.

A modular form on a finite-index subgroup of integer weight $k$ is a holomorphic function on the complex upper half-plane, invariant under this weight-$k$ action of $\Gamma$, and holomorphic at a cusp at each of its cusps. A cusp of a modular group is a $\Gamma$ orbit in ${\mathbb{P}}^1(\mathbb{Q})$. If $\sigma \in S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})$ carries infinity to its representative, choose a positive integer $h$ with $\sigma T^h{\sigma }^{-1}\in \Gamma$. Such $h$ exists by finite index. Then $f{|}_k\sigma$ is periodic and has a convergent expansion in $q_h=e^{2\pi iz/h}$ near zero; holomorphy means no negative exponents, and being a cusp form means zero constant term. Using an actual translation period avoids possible signs if a smaller width of a cusp is defined only modulo the center, particularly in odd weights.

For cusp holomorphy under rational slash operators, choose $\sigma \in S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})$ with $\sigma \infty =\gamma \infty$, possible by completing a primitive integer pair to a determinant-one matrix. Then ${\sigma }^{-1}\gamma =\left(\begin{array}{cc}a& b\\ 0& d\end{array}\right)$, with $a/d>0$. Up to a nonzero constant factor,The imaginary part of the argument tends to infinity with that of $z$, so this remains bounded by the cusp expansion of $f{|}_k\sigma$. It tends to zero if $f$ is a cusp form. Moreover $f{|}_k\gamma$ is invariant under ${\Gamma }^{\prime }$: for $\eta \in {\Gamma }^{\prime }$, $\gamma \eta {\gamma }^{-1}\in \Gamma$ and the right-action rule applies. Finite index gives a translation period for ${\Gamma }^{\prime }$, so boundedness is a removable singularity at zero in that periodic parameter. This proves holomorphy at infinity. For every other cusp, apply the same argument to the rational matrix $\gamma \rho$, with $\rho \in S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})$. Thus all cusp conditions hold, and

For the character twist by rational translations of a cusp form, put $B_j=\left(\begin{array}{cc}1& j/N\\ 0& 1\end{array}\right)$ and $K={\Gamma }_1(N)\cap {\Gamma }_0(N^2)$. For $\eta =\left(\begin{array}{cc}a& b\\ c& d\end{array}\right)\in K$, direct conjugation givesIndeed $N^2\mid c$ and $a\equiv d\equiv 1(\mathrm{mod}N)$. Every $f{|}_k{B}_j=f(z+j/N)$ is therefore $K$-invariant and vanishes at all its cusps by the preceding rational-translate argument. Their finite weighted sum is a cusp form, for every Dirichlet character:

There is, however, a missing primitivity hypothesis in the printed final expansion claim. The exact Fourier expansion of a modular form is alwaysValues of a Dirichlet character on units have modulus one, so $\chi (j{)}^{-1}=\overline{\chi (j)}$. For unit $n$, substitution gives $S_{\overline{\chi }}(n)=\chi (n)g(\overline{\chi })$, where $g$ is the Gauss sum of a Dirichlet character. For nonunit $n$, this vanishing formula requires a primitive Dirichlet character.

Here is its proof in that case. Choose a prime $p\mid (n,N)$. Primitivity supplies a unit $u\equiv 1(\mathrm{mod}N/p)$ with $\chi (u)\ne 1$: otherwise the character would factor through the surjective reduction to units modulo $N/p$. Surjectivity follows by lifting a unit and, if needed, adjusting the lift to avoid the additional prime $p$, using the Chinese remainder theorem. Multiplication by $u$ fixes $e^{2\pi inj/N}$ because $p\mid n$, but multiplies the character factor by a nontrivial constant. Hence $S_{\overline{\chi }}(n)=0$. The finite Fourier transform of a primitive Dirichlet character now gives the corrected formulaThe constant is nonzero: finite exponential orthogonality gives ${\sum }_{n\mathrm{mod}N}|S_{\overline{\chi }}(n){|}^2=N\phi (N)$, whereas the proved formula makes this $\phi (N)|g(\overline{\chi }){|}^2$. Thus $|g(\overline{\chi })|=\sqrt{N}$.

For a concrete counterexample to the printed unrestricted claim, take $N=2$, the principal Dirichlet character, and $f=\Delta$. The translation sum is $\Delta (z+1/2)={\sum }_n(-1{)}^n\tau (n)q^n$, whose $q^2$ coefficient is $-24$. Any constant multiple of the proposed odd-index-only series has $q^2$ coefficient zero. Thus the general modularity conclusion is proved, while the claimed simplification is false without the stated extra hypothesis.

Write $\Gamma =S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})$ and $G=G{L}_2(\mathbb{Q}{)}^{+}$. The double-coset Hecke algebra consists of $\Gamma$-bi-invariant complex functions on $G$ supported on finitely many double cosets, with convolutionEach double coset has finitely many orbits under left multiplication by $\Gamma$, by rational conjugation of finite-index modular subgroups. Thus the sum is finite and independent of representatives. The characteristic functions of the double cosets form its basis, and its right action on invariant modular forms is $f\ast h={\sum }_{\Gamma x}h(x)f{|}_{k}x$, using the determinant-normalized slash operator.

For a positive integer $n$, let ${\mathcal{M}}_n$ be all integral two-by-two matrices of positive determinant $n$. It is $\Gamma$-bi-invariant. Define $T(n)$ to be its indicator function, equivalently the sum of the distinct double cosets it contains, each with coefficient one. This is the convention consistent with the requested formula. For composite $n$, it need not be the single double coset of $\mathrm{diag}(1,n)$: for instance $2I\in {\mathcal{M}}_4$ cannot lie in that double coset, since multiplying by unimodular integral matrices preserves the greatest common divisor of the entries.

Prove all the needed subgroup facts directly. For a finite-index subgroup $L\subseteq {\mathbb{Z}}^2$, take $a$ to be the least positive first coordinate appearing in $L$ and $d$ the least positive second coordinate on its intersection with the second axis. Euclidean division then shows that the first-coordinate projection is $a\mathbb{Z}$ and $L\cap (\{0\}\times \mathbb{Z})=\{0\}\times d\mathbb{Z}$. Positivity follows, for example, because the finite quotient group kills a nonzero multiple of each coordinate vector. Choose $(a,b)\in L$ and reduce $b$ modulo $d$ to $0\le b<d$. Every vector of $L$ has first coordinate a multiple of $a$, and subtracting that multiple of $(a,b)$ leaves a multiple of $(0,d)$. Therefore these two vectors form a basis of $L$. The parameters $a,d,b$ are unique. Reducing the first coordinate modulo $a$ and then the second modulo $d$ gives precisely $ad$ quotient representatives, so $[{\mathbb{Z}}^2:L]=ad$.

Apply this row Hermite normal form in rank two to the row lattice of an integral matrix $A$ with $\det A=n$. Its row lattice contains $n{\mathbb{Z}}^2$, since $\mathrm{adj}(A)A=nI$, so it has finite index. Its two rows and the displayed two rows are bases of the same row lattice. The two inverse change-of-basis matrices have integer entries, so their determinants are integers whose product is one. Thus the change-of-basis matrix has determinant $\pm 1$; since both orientations are positive, its determinant is one. Thus each orbit under left multiplication by $\Gamma$ has exactly one of the determinant-n matrix representatives for Hecke operatorsThere are ${\sum }_{d\mid n}d$ such representatives, proving finiteness as well as the formula. The subgroup argument is a proof of the relevant Hermite normal form, not an invocation of an unproved lattice classification.

Consequently the normalized Hecke operator isIt preserves $M_k(\Gamma )$: right multiplication by $\Gamma$ permutes the left-multiplication orbits in ${\mathcal{M}}_n$, giving invariance, and cusp holomorphy under rational slash operators gives the holomorphy of each term at every cusp.

For a triangular representative the determinant-normalized slash operator is $f{|}_{k}A=n^{k/2}{d}^{-k}f((az+b)/d)$. Summing the Fourier expansion of a modular form over $b$ kills every index not divisible by $d$, by finite exponential orthogonality. ThusThe Fourier coefficients of a composite-index Hecke operator are thereforeIn particular $a_1(T_{n}f)=a_n(f)$. If $T_{n}f=\lambda f$, comparison of the $q$ coefficients gives

Finally suppose $a_0(f)\ne 0$ and $f$ is a simultaneous eigenfunction. Constant coefficients force ${\lambda }_n={\sigma }_{k-1}(n)$, so $a_n(f)=a_1(f){\sigma }_{k-1}(n)$ for all $n\ge 1$. Weight two cannot occur, by vanishing of weight-two level-one modular forms. For even $k\ge 4$, use the normalized Eisenstein series with its Fourier expansion of a normalized Eisenstein serieswhere $B_k$ is the Bernoulli number. Then $h=f-a_0(f)E_k$ is a cusp form with coefficients $(a_1(f)-a_0(f)c_k){\sigma }_{k-1}(n)$. The Fourier coefficient bound for a cusp form bounds these by $O(n^{k/2})$, but at arbitrarily large primes $p$ their magnitude is $|a_1-a_0{c}_k|(1+p^{k-1})$. Since $k-1>k/2$, the coefficient factor must vanish. All coefficients of $h$ then vanish, including its constant coefficient, so $h=0$ by its cusp expansion and the identity theorem. This proves the noncuspidal level-one Hecke eigenform characterization:

Take the free abelian group $G={\mathbb{Z}}^2$, whose rank of a group is two, and its finite-index subgroup $H=2\mathbb{Z}\times \mathbb{Z}$. The subgroup has index two and is again isomorphic to ${\mathbb{Z}}^2$, so its rank is two. The Nielsen–Schreier formula would instead give $1+2(2-1)=3$. Henceis a counterexample.

Suppose first that $\varphi :G\to H$ is a $(\lambda ,\epsilon )$-quasi-isometry. If $k\in \ker \varphi$, the lower quasi-isometry inequality givesso the kernel of a group homomorphism lies in the finite word-metric ball of radius $\lambda \epsilon$ and is finite. Coarse surjectivity gives an $R$ such that every $h\in H$ is within $R$ of $\varphi (G)$. The finite ball $B_H(1,R)$ therefore contains representatives for every coset of $\varphi (G)$, so $H/\varphi (G)$ is finite.

Conversely, suppose $\ker \varphi$ is finite and $phi(G)$ is a finite-index subgroup of $H$. The map factors asThe first arrow is a finite-kernel quotient quasi-isometry, the middle arrow is an isomorphism of finitely generated groups, and the last arrow is a finite-index subgroup quasi-isometry. Their composition is a quasi-isometry. Hence the quasi-isometry criterion for a group homomorphism is

TakeIts eigenvalues areNeither is a root of unity, so $1$ is not an eigenvalue of $C^k$ for any positive $k$.

Let $L$ be a finite-index subgroup of ${\Gamma }_C$, let $N={\mathbb{Z}}^2$, and project ${\Gamma }_C$ onto its $\mathbb{Z}$ factor. Then $N^{\prime }=L\cap N$ has finite index in $N$, while the image of $L$ is $k\mathbb{Z}$ for some $k>0$. Choose $s\in L$ projecting to $k$. Every element of $L$ has a unique expression $n{s}^j$ with $n\in N^{\prime }$, and conjugation by $s$ on $N^{\prime }$ is the restriction of $C^k$. ThusBecause $1$ is not an eigenvalue of $C^k$, part (b), applied to the finite-rank lattice $N^{\prime }$, shows that the image of $N^{\prime }$ in $L^{\mathrm{ab}}$ is finite. The quotient by that finite image is generated by the image of $s$, so $L^{\mathrm{ab}}$ is a finite extension of an infinite cyclic group. It is therefore a virtually cyclic group.

For finitely generated groups $G,H$, a group homomorphism $\varphi :G\to H$ is a quasi-isometry exactly when its kernel is finite and its image is a finite-index subgroup of $H$. The finite kernel controls collapse of distances, and finite index is exactly the coarse-surjectivity condition.

For any finite-index subgroup $\Gamma \le S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})$ and rational positive-determinant $\gamma$, the intersection $S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})\cap {\gamma }^{-1}\Gamma \gamma$ has finite index. Multiply $\gamma$ by a positive rational scalar to obtain an integral matrix $A$ with positive integer determinant $D$. For $h=I+DB\in \Gamma (D)$, $Ah{A}^{-1}=I+AB\mathrm{adj}(A)$ is integral, so $\Gamma (D)$ lies in $S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})\cap {\gamma }^{-1}S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})\gamma$. This intersection has finite index. Its further intersection with ${\gamma }^{-1}\Gamma \gamma$ has relative index at most $[S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z}):\Gamma ]$. No assumption that $\Gamma$ itself is a congruence subgroup is needed.

For a finite-index subgroup $L\le {\mathbb{Z}}^2$, its projection to the first coordinate is $a\mathbb{Z}$ and its intersection with the second axis is $\{0\}\times d\mathbb{Z}$, with $a,d>0$. Choose $(a,b)\in L$, reducing $b$ modulo $d$. Together with $(0,d)$ it is a basis of this row lattice: subtracting a multiple of $(a,b)$ from any vector leaves a vector on the second axis. These parameters are unique, and reduction of the two coordinates shows $[{\mathbb{Z}}^2:L]=ad$. Consequently an integral matrix of positive determinant $n$ has a unique representative of this form under left multiplication by $S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})$, with $ad=n$. This proves the lattice facts underlying determinant-n matrix representatives for Hecke operators.

Every abelian group is amenable, and amenability is preserved by finite extensions. Hence every group with an abelian finite-index subgroup is an amenable group.

A group is virtually solvable, or virtually soluble, when it contains a solvable group as a finite-index subgroup. This is preserved under subgroups, quotients and group extensions. The extension proof can use a finite-index characteristic soluble subgroup of the kernel, followed by centralizing the resulting finite normal kernel. Finite generation is not required for these closure properties.