In abstract algebra, an abelian group (G,+) is called finitely generated if there exist finitely many elements x₁,...,x_s in G such that every x in G can be written in the form

x = n₁x₁ + n₂x₂ + ... + n_sx_s

with integers n₁,...,n_s. In this case, we say that the set {x₁,...,x_s} is a generating set of G or that x₁,...,x_s generate G.

Clearly, every finite abelian group is finitely generated. The finitely generated abelian groups are of a rather simple structure and can be completely classified, as will be explained below.

Examples

• the integers (Z,+) are a finitely generated abelian group
• the integers modulo n Z_n are a finitely generated abelian group
• any direct sum of finitely many finitely generated abelian groups is again finitely generated abelian

There are no other examples. The group (Q,+) of rational numbers is not finitely generated: if x₁,...,x_s are rational numbers, pick a natural number w coprime to all the denominators; then 1/w cannot be generated by x₁,...,x_s.

Classification

The fundamental theorem of finitely generated abelian groups states that every finitely generated abelian group G is isomorphic to a direct sum of primary and infinite cyclic groups. A primary cyclic group is one whose order is a power of a prime. That is, every such group is isomorphic to one of the form

where n ≥ 0, and the numbers m₁,...,m_t are (not necessarily distinct) powers of prime numbers. The values of n, m₁,...,m_t are (up to order) uniquely determined by G; in particular, G is finite if and only if n = 0

Because of the general fact that Z_m is isomorphic to the direct product of Z_j and Z_k if and only if j and k are coprime and m = jk, we can also write any abelian group G as a direct product of the form

where k₁ divides k₂, which divides k₃ and so on up to k_u. Again, the numbers n and k₁,...,k_u are uniquely determined by G.

Stated differently the fundamental theorem says that a finitely-generated abelian group is the direct sum of a free abelian group of finite rank and a finite abelian group, each of those being unique up to isomorphism. The finite abelian group is the just torsion subgroup of G. The rank of G is defined as the rank of the torsion-free part of G; this is just the number n in the above formulas.

Note that not every abelian group of finite rank is finitely generated; the rank-1 group Q is one example, and the rank-0 group given by a direct sum of countably many copies of Z₂ is another one.

A corollary to the fundamental theorem is that every finitely generated torsion-free abelian group is free abelian. The finitely generated condition is essential here: Q is torsion-free but not free abelian.

Every subgroup and factor group of a finitely generated abelian group is again finitely generated abelian. The finitely generated abelian groups, together with the group homomorphisms, form an abelian category.