The cancellation problem (Q579319)

Let k be a field. The author considers the following cancellation problems. (i) Let \(K_ 1/k\) and \(K_ 2/k\) be finitely generated field extensions. If \(K_ 1(x_ 1,...,x_ n)\cong K_ 2(y_ 1,...,y_ n)\) where \(x_ 1,...,x_ n\) and \(y_ 1,...,y_ n\) are algebraically independent over \(K_ 1\) and \(K_ 2\), respectively, then is \(K_ 1\cong K_ 2\) over k ? (ii) Let A and B be affine domains over k. If \(A[x_ 1,...,x_ n]\cong B[y_ 1,...,y_ n]\) where \(A[x_ 1,...,x_ n]\) and \(B[y_ 1,...,y_ n]\) are polynomial rings over A and B, respectively, then is \(A\cong B\) over k ? The author proves the following results for problem (i). Let \(L/K_ 1/k\) and \(L/K_ 2/k\) be field extensions. Suppose that \(K_ 1(x_ 1,...,x_ n)=K_ 2(y_ 1,...,y_ n)\) and trans. deg. \(K_ i/k\leq 1\) for \(i=1,2\). Then (1) \(K_ 1\cong K_ 2\) over k. (2) If \(K_ 1\neq K_ 2\), let \(k_ 0\) denote \(K_ 1\cap K_ 2\). Then for \(i=1,2\), \(K_ i/k_ 0\) is finitely generated with transcendence degree 1, and \(K_ i/k_ 0\) is a regular extension with genus zero. Let k be algebraically closed of characteristic 0 and let \(K_ 1/k\) and \(K_ 2/k\) be finitely generated field extensions. Suppose that \(f: K_ 1(x_ 1,...,x_ n)\to K_ 2(y_ 1,...,y_ n)\) is an isomorphism over k. If the Kodaira dimensions of \(K_ i\) are nonnegative, then f': \(K_ 1\to K_ 2\) is an isomorphism over k where f' is the restriction of f on \(K_ 1.\) Let k be algebraically closed of characteristic 0 and let \(K_ 1/k\) and \(K_ 2/k\) be finitely generated field extensions. Suppose that \(K_ 1(x_ 1,...,x_ n)=K_ 2(y_ 1,...,y_ n)\) and trans. deg. \(K_ i/k=2\) for \(i=1,2\). Then (1) \(K_ 1\cong K_ 2\) over k; (2) \(K_ 1=K_ 2\) if \(K_ i | k\) is not ruled, \(i=1,2;\) (3) when \(K_ i/k\) is nonrational ruled over k \((i=1,2)\), then either \(K_ 1=K_ 2\) or \(K_ i=k_ 0(t_ i)\) where \(k_ 0=K_ 1\cap K_ 2\) and \(k_ 0/k\) is an algebraic function field of one variable. The author proves the following results for problem (ii). Let A and B be commutative integral domains with \(k\subset A\) and let Q(A) and Q(B) denote their quotient fields. Suppose that \(A[x]=B[y]\). Then (1) if trans. deg. Q(A)/k\(\leq 2\), then Q(A)\(\cong Q(B)\) over k; (2) if trans. deg. Q(A)/k\(=3\), Q(A) is finitely generated over k and k is algebraically closed of characteristic 0, then Q(A)\(\cong Q(B)\) over k.