Remarks on a class of 2-generator groups of deficiency zero

Abstract

Let G be a finitely presented group. A finite presentation P of G is said to have defiency m – n if it defines G with m generators and n relations. The deficiency of G is the maximum of the deficiencies of all the finite presentations P of G. If G is finite the deficiency of G is less than or equal to zero. The only finite two generator groups of deficiency zero that are known are certain metacyclic groups given by Wamsley (1970), a class of nilpotent groups given by Macdonald in (1962) and a class of groups given by Wamsley (1972).