Tractability of algebraic function fields in one variable of genus zero over global fields (Q5952286)

A field \(F\) of characteristic different from~2 is called tractable if for every \(a_{i}\), \(b_{i}\in F^{\times}\) with \(i=1\), \(2\), \(3\), the quaternion algebras \((a_{i},b_{i})_{F}\) are split when \((a_{i},b_{j})_{F}\) is split for \(i\neq j\) and \((a_{1},b_{1})_{F}\simeq (a_{2},b_{2})_{F}\simeq (a_{3},b_{3})_{F}\). This condition was introduced in relation with decomposability of central simple algebras with involution in \textit{M. Chacron, J.-P. Tignol} and \textit{A. Wadsworth} [Can. J. Math. 51, 10--25 (1999; Zbl 0948.12001)], where it was shown that local fields are tractable if and only if they are nondyadic, and that global fields are tractable if and only if they have at most one dyadic prime spot. In the paper under review, it is shown that a field \(F\) is tractable if and only if any purely transcendental extension of \(F\) is tractable. Function fields of conics over global fields are also investigated in detail. Their tractability is determined in terms of the ramification locus of the associated quaternion algebra \(Q\), except when \(F\) is a tractable number field, and the ramification locus contains no nondyadic finite prime spot and more than one real infinite spot. In particular, if the constant field \(F\) is an untractable number field, the function field is tractable if and only if \(F\) has exactly two nondyadic prime spots, which form the ramification locus of \(Q\).