
This is one of these wonderful results you can get with only pencil and paper, a lot of time (better with a good computer algebra system), and a very good idea. The author considers the general quartic form in two variables and rational coefficients \[ f(x,y)= ax^4+ bx^3y+ cx^2y^2+ dxy^3+ ey^4 \] and asks for rational solutions of \(f(x,y)= f(u,v)\). Theorem: Take \(q(m,n)= 4amn^3- 3bmn^2+ 2cmn- dm- bn^3+ 2cn^2- 3dn+ 3e\). A necessary and sufficient condition that the quartic Diophantine equation \(f(x,y)= f(u,v)\) has an integer solution with \(y\neq\pm v\) is that there exist rational numbers \(n, m\) such that \(q(m,n)\) and \(q(n,m)\) are both zero or \(-q(m,n) q(n,m)\) is a non-zero perfect square. The proof is by explicitly writing down a solution, if the conditions are satisfied, or by construction of \(n\) and \(m\), if a solution is known. The author gives two examples not covered by the so far only relevant theorem on this question by \textit{B. Segre} [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. (2) 49, 353--395 (1947; Zbl 0034.08603)]. In both cases the respective \(m\) and \(n\) are found by trial. Reviewer's remarks: There seems to be no theory behind finding these \(m, n\). E.g., L. Euler has given the solution \(x=158\), \(y=59\), \(u=134\), \(v=133\) of \(x^4+ y^4= u^4+ v^4\) [cf. \textit{L. E. Dickson}, ``History of the theory of numbers. Vol. II: Diophantine analysis'', reprint New York (1971); Chap. XXII: Equations of degree four, p. 646] by a general method [cf. also \textit{L. J. Mordell}, Diophantine equations, Pure Appl. Math. 30, London etc.: Academic Press (1969; Zbl 0188.34503); Chap. 12: Rational and integer points on quartic surfaces, p. 91]. You can compute afterwards that \(m=12/37\), \(n=-73/48\), but how to find this a priori? So we have a nice result but you will be lucky to get a practical solution. Thinking of Segre, perhaps it would be helful to give the geometric background of the author's method.
JFM 47.0100.04, Algebra and Number Theory, rational solutions, rational coefficients, Cubic and quartic Diophantine equations, quartic diophantine equation, general quartic form in two variables
JFM 47.0100.04, Algebra and Number Theory, rational solutions, rational coefficients, Cubic and quartic Diophantine equations, quartic diophantine equation, general quartic form in two variables
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