Projective MV-algebras and rational polyhedra

Let M be an n-generator projective MV-algebra. Then there is a rational polyhedron P in the n-cube 0, 1] ⁿ such that M is isomorphic to the MV-algebra M(P){{\rm{\mathcal {M}}}(P)} of restrictions to P of the McNaughton functions of the free n-generator MV-algebra. P necessarily contains a vertex vP of the n-cube. We characterize those polyhedra contained in the n-cube such that M(P){{\mathcal {M}}(P)} is projective. In particular, if the rational polyhedron P is a union of segments originating at some fixed vertex vP of the n-cube, then M(P){{\mathcal {M}}(P)} is projective. Using this result, we prove that if A = M(P){A = {\mathcal {M}}(P)} and B = M(Q){B = {\mathcal {M}}(Q)} are projective, then so is the subalgebra of A × B given by {(f, g) | f(v _P ) = g(v _Q ), and so is the free product A \coprod B{A \coprod B} .