The piecewise linear functions , for distinct integer indices, are linearly independent over the integers. Restrict a finite integer relation to . At , only has a jump of one in its slope; hence the coefficient of that function must be zero. This proves that the underlying group of the two-generated free Abelian lattice-ordered group has infinite rank of an abelian group.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2002 iii Paper 4 6 iii Solution 2026-10-14
No. The free Abelian lattice-ordered group on two generators is countable, since every element is represented by a finite term over a countable alphabet of operation symbols and the two generators. The additive group of all real-valued functions on the given half-plane is uncountable: it already contains a distinct constant function for every real number. A lattice-ordered group homomorphism that is an isomorphism would be a bijection, contradicting these cardinalities. The concrete free-group model consists of specially constrained integer-linear term functions, not all real-valued functions on a domain.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2002 iii Paper 4 6 ii Solution 2026-10-14
A concrete model of the two-generated free Abelian lattice-ordered group is the lattice subgroup of real-valued functions on generated by the coordinate projections , . Its elements are finite joins of finite meets of integer linear forms . Thus they are continuous positively homogeneous piecewise linear functions, with pointwise addition and lattice operations. This is the piecewise integer-linear representation of a free Abelian lattice-ordered group.
For the construction, first form the term algebra on two symbols using addition, negation, zero, join and meet, then identify terms that agree in every Abelian lattice-ordered group. Evaluation under any assignment of the two generators factors through this quotient, proving its universal property. To obtain the concrete function model, use the identity-detection theorem that the real line generates the variety of Abelian lattice-ordered groups. Its proof passes a failed identity to a prime ordered quotient, chooses its finitely many active linear pieces, and uses the rational-inequality alternative underlying Farkas' lemma to find a real witness. This makes evaluation on injective as well as surjective onto the generated function group.
Its underlying group is not for any finite . The integer-linear hinge functions have infinite independent rank: are integer-linearly independent for distinct integers . On , only has a slope jump at , so each coefficient in a finite relation must vanish. The underlying group therefore has infinite rank of an abelian group despite having two lattice generators.