Geometric postulation of a smooth function and the number of rational points (Q1179175): Difference between revisions

This paper provides refinements and extensions of some of the results of \textit{E. Bombieri} and the author [Duke Math. J. 59, 337-357 (1989; Zbl 0718.11048)]\ obtaining upper bounds for the number of integral points on the graphs of functions. Let \(f(x)\) be a sufficiently smooth function with graph \(\Gamma\). The author explores local conditions on \(f\) that control the multiplicity of the intersection of \(\Gamma\) with any algebraic curve of degree \(d\). He notes that his results apply to rational points on transcendental analytic functions defined on a closed bounded interval, so that, for example the number of rational points of height at most \(N\) on \(\Gamma\) is bounded by \(c(f,\epsilon)N^{\epsilon}\). Of course there is much more. Suffice it here to say that the author cites results of considerable depth and great generality, yet obtained by techniques comprehensible to the unsophisticated reader.