A proof of a theorem by Fried and MacRae and applications to the composition of polynomial functions (Q636797)

The authors discuss the problem: if \(f,g\) are maps, and \(f\circ g\) and \(g\) are polynomial functions, then \(f\) is as well. Where this is a consequence of a result of Fried and MacRae (see below), the authors generalize to the case that \(f\circ g,g\) are multivariate polynomials, i.e., polynomial maps. The theorem of \textit{M. D. Fried} and \textit{R. E. MacRae} [Math. Ann. 180, 220--226 (1969; Zbl 0185.28803)] proves the following: if \(p(x)-q(y)\) divides \(f(x)-g(y)\) where \(p,q,f,g\) are polynomials over a field \(k\), then \(f(x)\in k[p(x)]\) and \(g(y)\in k[q(y)]\). -- The authors generalize this theorem to more variables over an algebraically closed field.