On the generators of the polynomial algebra as a module over the Steenrod algebra

Abstract

Let $P_k:= \mathbb F_2[x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_k]$ be the polynomial algebra over the prime field of two elements, $\mathbb F_2$, in $k$ variables $x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_k$, each of degree 1. We are interested in the Peterson hit problem of finding a minimal set of generators for $P_k$ as a module over the mod-2 Steenrod algebra, $\mathcal{A}$. In this paper, we study the hit problem in degree $(k-1)(2^d-1)$ with $d$ a positive integer. Our result implies the one of Mothebe [4,5].