We generalize a question of Büchi: Let R be an integral domain, C a subring and k ≥ 2 an integer. Is there an algorithm to decide the solvability in R of any given system of polynomial equations, each of which is linear in the kth powers of the unknowns, with coefficients in C? We state a number-theoretical problem, depending on k, a positive answer to which would imply a negative answer to the question for R = C = ℤ. We reduce a negative answer for k = 2 and for R = F(t), the field of rational functions over a field of zero characteristic, to the undecidability of the ring theory of F(t). We address a similar question where we allow, along with the equations, also conditions of the form "x is a constant" and "x takes the value 0 at t = 0", for k = 3 and for function fields R = F(t) of zero characteristic, with C = ℤ[t]. We prove that a negative answer to this question would follow from a negative answer for a ring between ℤ and the extension of ℤ by a primitive cube root of 1.
@article{bwmeta1.element.bwnjournal-article-doi-10_4064-fm185-2-4,
author = {Thanases Pheidas and Xavier Vidaux},
title = {Extensions of B\"uchi's problem: Questions of decidability for addition and kth powers},
journal = {Fundamenta Mathematicae},
volume = {185},
year = {2005},
pages = {171-194},
zbl = {1079.03005},
language = {en},
url = {http://dml.mathdoc.fr/item/bwmeta1.element.bwnjournal-article-doi-10_4064-fm185-2-4}
}
Thanases Pheidas; Xavier Vidaux. Extensions of Büchi's problem: Questions of decidability for addition and kth powers. Fundamenta Mathematicae, Tome 185 (2005) pp. 171-194. http://gdmltest.u-ga.fr/item/bwmeta1.element.bwnjournal-article-doi-10_4064-fm185-2-4/