On the Algebraic K-theory of Monoids

Abstract

Let $A$ be a not necessarily commutative monoid with zero such that projective $A$-acts are free. This paper shows that the algebraic K-groups of $A$ can be defined using the +-construction and the Q-construction. It is shown that these two constructions give the same K-groups. As an immediate application, the homotopy invariance of algebraic K-theory of certain affine ${\mathbb{F}}_1$-schemes is obtained. From the computation of $K_2(A),$ where $A$ is the monoid associated to a finitely generated abelian group, the universal central extension of certain groups are constructed.