A simple proof of a theorem of Gizatullin (Q1814515)

A simple inductive proof of the following Gizatullin theorem [cf. \textit{M. Kh. Gizatullin}, Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Ser. Mat. 46, No. 5, 909-970 (1982; Zbl 0509.14011)] on relations in the Cremona group \(Cr(\mathbb{P}^ 2_ k)\) over an algebraic closed field is given. Let \(P\) and \(Q\) be the sets of projective and quadratic transformations in the group \(Cr(\mathbb{P}^ 2_ k)\). Then any relation in the group \(Cr(\mathbb{P}^ 2_ k)\) stems from a relation of the following kind \(c_ 3c_ 2c_ 1=1\), \(c_ i\in P\cup Q\), \(i=1,2,3\). This means that a transformation \(c_ 2\circ c_ 1=c_ 3^{-1}\) is either quadratic or projective.