Algebra Commons^™

The Module Isomorphism Problem Reconsidered, Peter A. Brooksbank

Faculty Journal Articles

Algorithms to decide isomorphism of modules have been honed continually over the last 30 years, and their range of applicability has been extended to include modules over a wide range of rings. Highly efficient computer implementations of these algorithms form the bedrock of systems such as GAP and MAGMA, at least in regard to computations with groups and algebras. By contrast, the fundamental problem of testing for isomorphism between other types of algebraic structures -- such as groups, and almost any type of algebra -- seems today as intractable as ever. What explains the vastly different complexity status of the …