Rational invariants for subgroups of \(S_5\) and \(S_7\) (Q403811)

Let \(k\) be a field. A finitely generated field extension \(L\) of \(k\) is called \(k\)-rational if \(L\) is purely transcendental over \(k\). Let \(G\) be a subgroup of \(S_n\) where \(S_n\) is the symmetric group of degree \(n\). For any field \(k\), \(G\) acts naturally on the rational function field \(k(x_1, \dots, x_n)\) via \(k\)-automorphisms defined by \(\sigma\cdot x_i=x_{\sigma(i)}\) for any \(\sigma\in G\), any \(1 \leq i\leq n\). Noether's problem asks whether the fixed field \(k(x_1, \dots, x_n)^G:=\{f\in k(x_1, \dots, x_n):\sigma(f)=f,\forall\sigma\in G\}\) is \(k\)-rational. It is well-known that \(k(x_1, \dots, x_n)^{S_n}\) is \(k\)-rational. However, Noether's problem is not solved for all subgroups of \(S_n\). \textit{J. A. Tyrell} and \textit{C. M. Williams} [Bull. Lond. Math. Soc. 1, 75--78 (1969; Zbl 0175.32301)] proved that if \(G\) is any subgroup of \(S_4\), then \(\mathbb C(x_1,x_2,x_3,x_4)^G\) is \(\mathbb C\)-rational. The main result of the paper under review is that if \(G\) is any subgroup of \(S_5\), then \(k(x_1, \dots, x_n)^G\) is \(k\)-rational. The authors also prove the following results: \(k(x_1, \dots, x_7)^G\) is \(k\)-rational for any transitive subgroup \(G\) of \(S_7\) other than \(A_7\) or \(\mathrm{PSL}_2(\mathbb F_7)\); \(k(x_1, \dots, x_7)^{PSL_2(\mathbb F_7)}\) is \(k\)-rational if char \(k=0\) and \(\sqrt{-7}\in k\); \(k(x_1, \dots, x_{11})^G\) is \(k\)-rational for any transitive solvable subgroup \(G\) of \(S_{11}\).