Given an א1-free abelian group G we characterize the class CG of all torsion abelian groups T satisfying Ext(G, T ) = 0 assuming the special continuum hypothesis CH. Moreover, in Gödel’s constructable universe we prove that this characterizes CG for arbitrary torsion-free abelian G. It follows that there exist some ugly א1-free abelian groups.

Given an א1-free abelian group G we characterize the class CG of all torsion abelian groups T satisfying Ext(G, T ) = 0 assuming the special continuum hypothesis CH. Moreover, in Gödel’s constructable universe we prove that this characterizes CG for arbitrary torsion-free abelian G. It follows that there exist some ugly א1-free abelian groups.

We study the representability problem for torsion-free arithmetic matroids. By using a new operation called "reduction" and "signed Hermite normal form", we provide implement an algorithm to compute all representations, up equivalence. As application, disprove two conjectures about poset of layers independence toric arrangement.