The cancellation problem over Noetherian one-dimensional domains (Q2450264): Difference between revisions

The general Zariski problem asks whether given a variety \(X\) over a field with \(X\times {\mathbb A}^1\) isomorphic to \({\mathbb A}^{n+1}\), is \(X\) isomorphic to \({\mathbb A}^n\). For \(n=1\), this is straight forward and for \(n=2\), this is a beautiful result of \textit{T. Fujita} [Proc. Japan Acad., Ser. A 55, 106--110 (1979; Zbl 0444.14026)], \textit{M. Miyanishi} and \textit{T. Sugie} [J. Math. Kyoto Univ. 20, 11--42 (1980; Zbl 0445.14017)] in characteristic zero and by \textit{P. Russell} [Math. Ann. 255, 287--302 (1981; Zbl 0438.14024)] in positive characteristics. For \(n>2\), the problem remains open. In the paper under review, the authors deal with a slightly general problem, where the base field is replaced with a one dimensional Noetherian domain. The assumption on the base ring can not be made weaker and expect positive results, as shown by \textit{M. Hochster} [Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 34, 81--82 (1972; Zbl 0233.13012)] for rings of dimension two. Of course, for \(n>2\) even over a field the problem is open and false in positive characteristics as shown by \textit{N. Gupta} [Invent. Math. 195, No. 1, 279--288 (2014; Zbl 1309.14050)]. For \(n=1\), an affirmative answer was provided by Abhyankar, Heinzer and Eakin [\textit{S. S. Abhyankar} et al., J. Algebra 23, 310--342 (1972; Zbl 0255.13008)]. The authors deal with the case of \(n=2\) and show that cancellation holds if the base ring contains the field of rational numbers.