No label defined (Q4220149)

Let \(K\) be an algebraic number field. The author considers diophantine equations of type \[ F(x_1,\dots,x_m)=\beta, \tag{1} \] where \(\beta \in K\) \((\beta\neq 0)\) and \(F\) is a decomposable form over \(K\) of degree at least 3 in \(m\geq 2\) variables. A decomposable form over \(K\) is a homogeneous polynomial which factorizes into linear forms with coefficients in \(K\). In order to obtain finiteness results on the solutions, certain conditions on the system of linear factors are required (triangular connectedness). These decomposable form equations include Thue equations \((m=2)\), norm form equations, discriminant form equations, and index form equations. Let \(S\) be a finite set of places on \(K\) containing the infinite places, and let \(\mathcal O_S\) be the ring of \(S\)-integers in \(K\). The author obtains explicit bounds on the solutions \((x_1,\dots,x_m)\in \mathcal O^m_S\) of (1) which are too complex to reproduce here. These bounds considerably improve upon existing results (see for instance \textit{K. Győry} [Stud. Sci. Math. Hung. 16, 149-161 (1981; Zbl 0518.10019)] and \textit{J. H. Evertse} and \textit{K. Győry} [in: New advances in transcendence theory, Proc. Symp., Durham/UK 1986, 175-202 (1988; Zbl 0658.10022)]. These bounds can be further improved if the coefficients of \(F\) and the solutions are contained in a proper subfield of \(K\). However, the explicit bounds remain too large for practical use. The improvements mainly arise as the result of a recent theorem proved in \textit{Y. Bugeaud} and \textit{K. Győry} [Acta Arith. 74, 67-80 (1996; Zbl 0861.11027)]. A number of applications is given to polynomials and algebraic integers of given discriminant and to power integral bases of number fields.