Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

Michael Stoll

Publications and source records attributed to Michael Stoll.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
arXiv2014

Most odd degree hyperelliptic curves have only one rational point

Consider the smooth projective models C of curves y^2=f(x) with f(x) in Z[x] monic and separable of degree 2g+1. We prove that for g >= 3, a positive fraction of these have only one rational point, the point at infinity. We prove a lower bound on this fraction that tends to 1 as g tends to infinity. Finally, we show that C(Q) can be algorithmically computed for such a fraction of the curves. The method can be summarized as follows: using p-adic analysis and an idea of McCallum, we develop a reformulation of Chabauty's method that shows that certain computable conditions imply #C(Q)=1; on the other hand, using further p-adic analysis, the theory of arithmetic surfaces, a new result on torsion points on hyperelliptic curves, and crucially the Bhargava-Gross equidistribution theorem for nonzero 2-Selmer group elements, we prove that these conditions are often satisfied for p=2.

math.NT↗
arXiv2014

The Generalised Fermat Equation x^2 + y^3 = z^15

We determine the set of primitive integral solutions to the generalised Fermat equation x^2 + y^3 = z^15. As expected, the only solutions are the trivial ones with xyz = 0 and the non-trivial pair (x,y,z) = (+-3, -2, 1).

math.NT↗
arXiv2013

Generalized explicit descent and its application to curves of genus 3

We introduce a common generalization of essentially all known methods for explicit computation of Selmer groups, which are used to bound the ranks of abelian varieties over global fields. We also simplify and extend the proofs relating what is computed to the cohomologically-defined Selmer groups. Selmer group computations have been practical for many Jacobians of curves over Q of genus up to 2 since the 1990s, but our approach is the first to be practical for general curves of genus 3. We show that our approach succeeds on some genus-3 examples defined by polynomials with small coefficients.

math.NT↗
arXiv2013

Explicit Selmer groups for cyclic covers of P^1

For any abelian variety J over a global field k and an isogeny phi: J -> J, the Selmer group Sel^phi(J,k) is a subgroup of the Galois cohomology group H^1(Gal(ksep/k), J[phi]), defined in terms of local data. When J is the Jacobian of a cyclic cover of P^1 of prime degree p, the Selmer group has a quotient by a subgroup of order at most p that is isomorphic to the `fake Selmer group', whose definition is more amenable to explicit computations. In this paper we define in the same setting the `explicit Selmer group', which is isomorphic to the Selmer group itself and just as amenable to explicit computations as the fake Selmer group. This is useful for describing the associated covering spaces explicitly and may thus help in developing methods for second descents on the Jacobians considered.

math.AG↗
arXiv2012

Explicit n-descent on elliptic curves. III. Algorithms

This is the third in a series of papers in which we study the n-Selmer group of an elliptic curve, with the aim of representing its elements as curves of degree n in P^{n-1}. The methods we describe are practical in the case n=3 for elliptic curves over the rationals, and have been implemented in Magma. One important ingredient of our work is an algorithm for trivialising central simple algebras. This is of independent interest: for example, it could be used for parametrising Brauer-Severi surfaces.

math.NT↗
arXiv2011

Stability of peak solutions of a non-linear transport equation on the circle

We analyze the pattern forming ability and pattern stability for a one-dimensional non-linear transport-diffusion equation on the circle. We show that the trivial steady state is stable when diffusion is sufficiently strong. In the limit for vanishing diffusion, linear combinations of delta peaks can be stationary solutions; we study their stability properties. Finally, we present numerical examples exhibiting a variety of behaviors.

math.AP↗
arXiv2011

Partial Descent on Hyperelliptic Curves and the Generalized Fermat Equation x^3+y^4+z^5=0

Let C : y^2=f(x) be a hyperelliptic curve defined over the rationals. Let K be a number field and suppose f factors over K as a product of irreducible polynomials f=f_1 f_2...f_r. We shall define a "Selmer set" corresponding to this factorization with the property that if it is empty then the curve C has no rational points. We shall demonstrate the effectiveness of our new method by solving the generalized Fermat equation with signature (3,4,5), which is unassailable via the previously existing methods.

math.NT↗
arXiv2010

On the Number of Rational Iterated Pre-images of the Origin Under Quadratic Dynamical Systems

For a quadratic endomorphism of the affine line defined over the rationals, we consider the problem of bounding the number of rational points that eventually land at the origin after iteration. In the article ``Uniform Bounds on Pre-Images Under Quadratic Dynamical Systems,'' by two of the present authors and five others, it was shown that the number of rational iterated pre-images of the origin is bounded as one varies the morphism in a certain one-dimensional family. Subject to the validity of the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture and some other related conjectures for the L-series of a specific abelian variety and using a number of modern tools for locating rational points on high genus curves, we show that the maximum number of rational iterated pre-images is six. We also provide further insight into the geometry of the ``pre-image curves.''

math.NT↗
arXiv2010

Rational points on curves

This is an extended version of an invited lecture I gave at the Journees Arithmetiques in St. Etienne in July 2009. We discuss the state of the art regarding the problem of finding the set of rational points on a (smooth projective) geometrically integral curve C over Q. The focus is on practical aspects of this problem in the case that the genus of C is at least 2, and therefore the set of rational points is finite.

math.NT↗
arXiv2010

On a problem of Hajdu and Tengely

We prove a result that finishes the study of primitive arithmetic progressions consisting of squares and fifth powers that was carried out by Hajdu and Tengely in a recent paper: The only arithmetic progression in coprime integers of the form (a^2, b^2, c^2, d^5) is (1, 1, 1, 1). For the proof, we first reduce the problem to that of determining the sets of rational points on three specific hyperelliptic curves of genus 4. A 2-cover descent computation shows that there are no rational points on two of these curves. We find generators for a subgroup of finite index of the Mordell-Weil group of the last curve. Applying Chabauty's method, we prove that the only rational points on this curve are the obvious ones.

math.NT↗
arXiv2010

How to Solve a Diophantine Equation

These notes represent an extended version of a talk I gave for the participants of the IMO 2009 and other interested people. We introduce diophantine equations and show evidence that it can be hard to solve them. Then we demonstrate how one can solve a specific equation related to numbers occurring several times in Pascal's Triangle with state-of-the-art methods.

math.NT↗
arXiv2009

The Mordell-Weil sieve: Proving non-existence of rational points on curves

We discuss the Mordell-Weil sieve as a general technique for proving results concerning rational points on a given curve. In the special case of curves of genus 2, we describe quite explicitly how the relevant local information can be obtained if one does not want to restrict to mod p information at primes of good reduction. We describe our implementation of the Mordell-Weil sieve algorithm and discuss its efficiency.

math.NT↗
arXiv2009

Reduction theory of point clusters in projective space

In this paper, we generalise results obtained earlier by John Cremona and the author on the reduction theory of binary forms, which describe positive zero-cycles in P^1, to positive zero-cycles (or point clusters) in projective spaces of arbitrary dimension. This should have applications to more general projective varieties in P^n, by associating a suitable positive zero-cycle to them in an PGL(n+1)-invariant way. We discuss this in the case of (smooth) plane curves.

math.NT↗
arXiv2009

Minimisation and reduction of 2-, 3- and 4-coverings of elliptic curves

In this paper we consider models for genus one curves of degree n for n = 2, 3 and 4, which arise in explicit n-descent on elliptic curves. We prove theorems on the existence of minimal models with the same invariants as the minimal model of the Jacobian elliptic curve and provide simple algorithms for minimising a given model, valid over general number fields. Finally, for genus one models defined over Q, we develop a theory of reduction and again give explicit algorithms for n = 2, 3 and 4.

math.NT↗
arXiv2009

Rational 6-cycles under iteration of quadratic polynomials

We present a proof, which is conditional on the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer Conjecture for a specific abelian variety, that there do not exist rational numbers x and c such that x has exact period N = 6 under the iteration x |-> x^2 + c. This extends earlier results by Morton for N = 4 and by Flynn, Poonen and Schaefer for N = 5.

math.NT↗
arXiv2008

Two-cover descent on hyperelliptic curves

We describe an algorithm that determines a set of unramified covers of a given hyperelliptic curve, with the property that any rational point will lift to one of the covers. In particular, if the algorithm returns an empty set, then the hyperelliptic curve has no rational points. This provides a relatively efficiently tested criterion for solvability of hyperelliptic curves. We also discuss applications of this algorithm to curves of genus 1 and to curves with rational points.

math.NT↗
arXiv2007

Finite descent obstructions and rational points on curves

Let k be a number field and X a smooth projective k-variety. In this paper, we study the information obtainable from descent via torsors under finite k-group schemes on the location of the k-rational points on X within the adelic points. Our main result is that if a curve C/k maps nontrivially into an abelian variety A/k such that A(k) is finite and Sha(k,A) has no nontrivial divisible elements, then the information coming from finite abelian descent cuts out precisely the rational points of C. We conjecture that this is the case for all curves of genus at least 2. We relate finite descent obstructions to the Brauer-Manin obstruction; in particular, we prove that on curves, the Brauer set equals the set cut out by finite abelian descent. Our conjecture therefore implies that the Brauer-Manin obstruction against rational points in the only one on curves.

math.NT↗