A note on retracts of polynomial rings in three variables (Q2312864)

A subalgebra \(A\) of an algebra \(B\) over a filed \(k\) is a retract if there is an ideal \(I\) of \(B\) such that \(B=A\oplus I\) as vector spaces. \textit{D. Costa} [J. Algebra, 44, 492--502 (1977; Zbl 0352.13008)] asked whether any retract of the polynomial algebra \(k[x_1,\ldots,x_n]\) is isomorphic to a polynomial algebra. He also established this for \(n\leq 2\). The affirmative answer to the problem for \(n+1\) implies the Zariski cancellation conjecture for \(n\) (that \(X\times {\mathbb A}^n\cong {\mathbb A}^{n+1}\) implies \(X\cong {\mathbb A}^n\)). Over a field of positive characteristic the Zariski cancellation conjecture does not hold for \(n\geq 3\), see [\textit{N. Gupta}, Invent. Math. 195, No. 1, 279--288 (2014; Zbl 1309.14050)] and [\textit{N. Gupta}, Adv. Math. 264, 296--307 (2014; Zbl 1325.14078)]. Hence the problem of Costa is still open for \(n=3\) in positive characteristic and for \(n\geq 3\) in characteristic 0. The main result of the paper under review gives an affirmative answer to the problem of Costa for \(n=3\) and \(\text{char}(k)=0\). Several examples of retracts of \(k[x,y,z]\) are given in the end of the paper.