Geometric progressions in the sets of values of rational functions

arXiv2304.09264MaRDI QIDQ6433548FDOQ6433548

Authors: Maciej Ulas 

Publication date: 18 April 2023

Abstract: Let $a,QinQ$ be given and consider the set $calG(a,Q)=a{Q}^i:;iinN$ of terms of geometric progression with 0th term equal to $a$ and the quotient $Q$. Let $finQ(x,y)$ and $cal{V}_f$ be the set of finite values of $f$. We consider the problem of existence of $a,QinQ$ such that $calG(a,Q)subsetcal{V}_f$. In the first part of the paper we describe several classes of rational function for which our problem has a positive solution. In particular, if $f(x,y)=frac{f}_1(x,y)f_2(x,y)$, where $$ are homogenous forms of degrees $d_1,d_2$ and $|d_1-d_2|=1$, we prove that $calG(a,Q)subsetcal{V}_f$ if and only if there are $u,vinQ$ such that $a=f(u,v)$. In the second, experimental, part of the paper we study the stated problem for the rational function $f(x,y)=(y^2-x^3)/x$. We relate the problem to the existence of rational points on certain elliptic curves and present interesting numerical observations which allow us to state several questions and conjectures.

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