A non-cyclic one-relator group all of whose finite quotients are cyclic

Abstract

Let G be a group on two generators a and b subject to the single defining relation a = [a, ab]: . As usual [x, y] = x−1y−1xy and xy = y−1xy if x and y are elements of a group. The object of this note is to show that every finite quotient of G is cyclic. This implies that every normal subgroup of G contains the derived group G′. But by Magnus' theory of groups with a single defining relation G′ ≠ 1 ([1], §4.4). So G is not residually finite. This underlines the fact that groups with a single defining relation need not be residually finite (cf. [2]).