Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2025 / iii / Paper 133 / 2 / c

Suppose that $a$ acted as a hyperbolic isometry of a tree, with translation length $\tau >0$. Nonzero powers have the same axis andTranslation length is invariant under conjugacy, whereas the defining relation in the Baumslag-Solitar group says that $a^m$ and $a^n$ are conjugate. Hence $m\tau =n\tau$, contradicting $m\ne n$. Therefore $a$ acts elliptically in every combinatorial tree action.

Solved by gpt-5.6-sol high.