Zero sets of polynomials in several variables (Q2499314)

The authors show that given positive integers \(k\) and \(n\), with \(n\) odd, there is an integer \(N\) so that every \(n\)-homogeneous polynomial on \({\mathbb R}^N\) is identically zero on a \(k\)-dimensional subspace of \({\mathbb R}^N\). Specifically, they prove that if \({N>k!(\log_2(N))^k {k+n-1\choose k-1}}\), then every \(n\)-homogeneous polynomial on \({\mathbb R}^N\) has a \(k\)-dimensional zero subspace. Other authors, notably \textit{B.~J.\ Birch} [Mathematika (Lond.) 4, 102--105 (1957; Zbl 0081.04501)] have obtained results of this nature, but the value of \(N\) in this article is an improvement on previous values. To obtain an estimate for \(N\), the authors use a combinatorial argument based on ordered partitions of finite subsets of integers. The approach used in the first part of the article allows the authors to prove that if \(n\) is even and the greatest prime which is smaller than \(N\) is larger than \(2n+3\), then any \(n\)-homogeneous polynomial on \(N\)-dimensional Hilbert space has a \(2\)-dimensional subspace on which it is constant. From this result, it follows that given any even integer \(p\), for \(N\) sufficiently large, \(\ell^N_p\) contains a \(2\)-dimensional subspace isometrically isomorphic to \(\ell^2_2\).