Asymptotic density of test elements in free groups and surface groups

Abstract

An element $g$ of a group $G$ is a test element if every endomorphism of $G$ that fixes $g$ is an automorphism. Let $G$ be a free group of finite rank, an orientable surface group of genus $n\ge 2$, or a non-orientable surface group of genus $n\ge 3$. Let $\mathcal{T}$ be the set of test elements of $G$. We prove that $\mathcal{T}$ is a net. From this result we derive that $\mathcal{T}$ has positive asymptotic density in $G$. This answers a question of Kapovich, Rivin, Schupp, and Shpilrain. Furthermore, we prove that $\mathcal{T}$ is dense in the profinite topology on $G$.