On monoids presented by a single relation

Abstract A monoid presented by a single relation has elements ≠ 1 of finite order if and only if the presentation is 〈 X ; p m p ′ = p n p ′〉, where p is a primitive word in the free monoid on X and p ′ is a left factor of p . The word problem and the divisibility problems are shown to be solvable. Also necessary and sufficient conditions for residual finiteness are given.