No label defined (Q4249705)

The author discusses, with a multitude of examples and considerable detail, connections between Mason's theorem and the \(abc\) conjecture of Masser-Oesterlé. The attentive reader will learn a great deal both on the implications of the theorem and of the conjecture. Suppose \(A\), \(B\) are relatively prime polynomials in \(\mathbb C[X]\). Then it is a theorem of Richard Mason that the number of zeros of \(AB(A+B)\) is strictly larger than \(D\), the greater of the degrees \(\deg A\), \(\deg B\). The author points to the interesting case of equality in this result, that is, for which the number of zeros of \(AB(A+B)\) \textit{is} \(D+1\). His discussion is in large part directed to showing just how the \(abc\) conjecture leads, with aid of the notions of Mason to the `\(F\)-\(abc\)' conjecture: Namely, let \(F\in\mathbb Z[X,Y]\) be a homogeneous form of degree \(f\) so that \(XYF[X,Y]\) has no repeated factors. Let \(a\), \(b\) be a pair of relatively prime integers such that \(F(a,b)\neq 0\). Then there is a constant \(C(\varepsilon,F)>0\) such that the product of the distinct prime divisors of \(abF(a,b)\) is greater than \(C(\varepsilon,F)(a,b)^{f-\varepsilon}\). For the entire collection see [Zbl 0910.00037].