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An infinite cyclic group is generated by an element of <infinite order> and is isomorphic to the additive group of <integer>[integers].

Infinite cyclic group

Introduce $b=t^{-1}at$. The presentation may be written as the <HNN extension>
$$
G=\left\langle a,b,t\mathrel{\middle|}bab^{-1}=a^2, t^{-1}at=b\right\rangle
$$
of the <Baumslag-Solitar group> $\operatorname{BS}(1,2)=\langle a,b\mid bab^{-1}=a^2\rangle$, with stable letter $t$ identifying the infinite cyclic subgroups $\langle a\rangle$ and $\langle b\rangle$. <Britton's lemma> embeds the base group in the HNN extension. In particular, $a$ has <infinite order>, so $G$ is infinite. It is also nonabelian because $bab^{-1}=a^2\ne a$.

Solution

Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2024 / iii / Paper 133 / 1 / b / Solution

A group element has infinite order when no positive power of it is the <identity element>.

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 Incoming links: Infinite order