The Local-Global Principle in Number Theory

Arnélie Schinck

A Thesis

in

The Department

of

Mathematics and Statistics

Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requuements

for the Degree of Master of Science at

Concordia University

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Septernber 200 1

OAméiie Schinck, 200 1

Natiarial Library 1+1 ,calada Bibiiïtheque nationale du Canada

Acquisitions and Acquisitions et BiMiographic Services senrices bibbgraphiques

395 W.liirg(on Street 395, IUO WeYington -ON KlAûN4 OüawaON K l A W CaMda Canada

The author has granted a non- exclusive licence allowing the National Library of Canada to reproduce, 10- distribute or seli copies of this thesis in microfonn, paper or electronic formats.

The author retains ownership of the copyright in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.

L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive permettant à la Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduire, prêter, disûibuer ou vendre des copies de cette thèse sous la forme de micrdche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique.

L'auteur conserve la propriété du droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés ou autrement reproduits sans son autorisation.

ABSTRACT

The Local-Global Principle in Number Theory

Amélie Schinck

"p-adic fields prmOZrlde rernark~ble, easy and natural sol~utions to problems

,which apparently have no relation to p-udic fields and which othenrrise can be

resolved, i f at d l , only b t ~ deep and arduous methods".

J .\\-.S. Cassels

The first Local-Global Principle. as formulated by Rasse in 1921, relates the behaviour

of rational quadratic forms in Q (global field) to their behaviour in the padic fields Q,

(local fields). The notion of using local information as a stepping Stone towards

understanding more dificult global properties has been generalized and applied to many

problemsl making Local-Global met hods a powerful number t heoret ic tool. Even when

the principle fails, m-e can sometimes saIvage some connection between the local and the

global. This thesis aims to give a survey of the basic theory.

Acknowledgement s

1 wish to thank my thesis supervisor, Dr. Hershy Kisilevsky. His guidance and

encouragement helped me stay on course. 1 am also grateful to Dr. Sebastien

Pauli for his help in translating some of Hemel's German text to English, giving

me a better understanding of the history. Finally, 1 would iike to thank Craig T.

Achen for his loving support throughout the writing of this t hesis.

Contents

Preface

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Hensel's Analogy . - - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . 1

3 1.2 The Transcendence of e . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - 1.3 ThepadicAbsoluteValue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1.4 Hensel.s Lemma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - - . 6

2 The Hasse Principle 9

2.1 Helmut Hûsse . . . . . . - . . . - . . . - . . . - . . . . - - - - - - 9

2.2 The Hasse-Minkowski Theorem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

2.3 Hilbert's Eleventh Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . - - 13

3 Diophantine Equations 15

3.1 Equations modula p . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . 1-5

3.2 Irrationality of f i a n d the Three Square Theorem . - - - - . 18

4 The Hilbert Symbol 20

4.1 The Hilbert Çymbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . - . . . . - 20 4.2 Hilbert's Tenth ProbIem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

5 Proof of the Hasse-Minkowski Theorem 24

5.1 Proof for Ternary Quadratic Forms (n=3) . . - . . . - - . - - 24

5.2 Proof for n >3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . 26

5.3 Artin's Conjecture . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . 30 5.4 Projecting a Conic ont0 a Line . . . . . - - - . - . . . - - . . . 31

6 Equivalence of Quadratic Forms 33

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.1 Preliminary Results 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.2 A LocaCGlobal Pt-inciple 34

7 Failure of the Hasse Principle 37

7.1 A Simple Counterexample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.2 Seimer's Curve 38

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.3 Reichard's Equation 43

7.4 Representation of Integers by Quadratic Forms . . . . . . . . 45

8 Finite Extensions of Qp 47

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.1 The p-adic Fields 47

. . . . . . . . 8.2 Hasse-Minkowski for Algebraic Number FieIds 49

9 The Product Formula and Quadratic Reciprocity 52

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.1 Euler's Criterion 53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.2 Proof of the Product F o n n d a 56

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.3 Quadratic Reciprocity 57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.1 Hasse's Product Formula 58

10 The Hasse Norm Theorem 60

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.1 The Hilbert Norm Tlieorern 60

10.2 The Hasse Norm Theorem for Cyclic Extensions . . . . . . . 60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.3 Abelian Extensions 62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.4 Some-4pplications 63

11 Measuring the Failure 64

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.1 First Cohornology Group 64

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.2 Hasse Principle 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.3 Principal Homogeneous Spaces 67

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.4 The Tate-Shafarevich Group 68

Bibliography 69

Preface

Chapter 1 is an overview of padic fields in their historical context. It contains

important results on padic numbers, such as Hemel's Lemma, which will often be

referred to throughout the course of this thesis. Chapter 2 contains a statement of the

Local-Global Principle (Hasse Principle) and traces its historical development . For t his

part of rny study, I am especially indebted to Dr. Giinther Frei, who kindly sent me a

copy of the article he wrote on the subject for the Proceedings of the Class Field Theory

Conference in Tokyo.

We apply the Local-Global Principle to the study of Diophanthe equations in Chapter

3, easily obtaining seemingly difficult results. In Chapter 4, the Hilbert symbol and its

properties are reviewed. The proofs of the Hasse-Minkowski Theorem for the

repcesentation of a rational number by a quadratic form and the equivalence of

quadratic forms are given in Chapter 5 and 6. Both chapters were heavily influenced by

Borevic h's and S hafarevic h's approach in their collaborative t ext Number Theory .

Famous examples of the failure of the Hasse Principle are discussed at length in

Chapter 7, among them, the very h s t counterexample discovered by Reichard in 1942.

The Hasse-Minkowski Theorem is extended to finite extensions of the padic field in

Chapter 8, fully solving Hilbert's eleventh problem. Chapter 9 deduces quadratic

reciprocity from a local-global result; The product formula. The Hasse Norm Theorem,

of which the Hasse-Minkowski theorem is a particdm case, is the focus of Chapter 10.

The failure of the Hasse Principle is again the topic of Chapter 11, but this time, put in

the language of cohomology, allowing us to discuss the group which measures the

obstruction caUed the Tate-S hafarevich group.

vii

Chapter 1

Introduction

In the course of extending Kronecker's work on the factorization of prime ideals in

number fields, one of his studeats was led to the creation of the padic numbers.

This astute student was Kurt Hensel. Hensel camed over the method of cornplex

analysis of expanding functions locaiiy in order to get information on their global

properties to the land of Number Theory. He keenly obsenred that the linear factors

(x - a), the prime ideals of the ring @[XI, play an andogous role in @(x) to the prime

numbers p in Q. Hensel translateci the Laurent series expansion of a hctionflx) E

@(x) about a point a E @

f l x ) =x ai(x - a)'

into a closely analogous Laurent series expansion of r E Q in progressive powers of a

prime p

Hensel called the latter the padic expmion of r. Any rational number r can be

written padically with respect to every prime element p of Z. The padic expansion

gives us local information about r near p, just as each Laurent expansion gives us /

local information about f l x ) near a. Hensel showed that the collection of al1 such

Laurent series in powers of p forms a field, which he dubbed the field of padic

numbers and labeled K@). In modem shorthand this field is denoted Qp. An

interesthg historicd side note is that, at the tirne, the dehition of a field

forrnulated by Dedekind required that it be a subfield of the field of complex

numbers, a requirement the padic fields fail to satisfy. The fields of padic numbers

were the motivation behind the fundamental treatise on abstract Field Theory

undertaken by Steinitz. The padic fields were the earliest examples of what are

now known as Local Fields, with the exception of the fields of r d and complex

numbers. Local Fields will be discussed further in Chapter 8.

Hensel introduced padic numbers in 1897 in a short pape entitled &r eine neue

BegrWldung der Theorie der algebraischen Zahlen (About a ~iew fmndation of the

themg of algehaic nmbers). Hensel's treatment was extremely formal and failed

to dazzle the mathematicd community. The padics were dismisseci at the time as

imaginative play things, devoid of any real use because no substantial result for

which they were indispensable had been found. Hilbert mentioried them in his

famous Paris lecture in 1900 yet they went virtually unnoticed for decades. This

attitude was in large part due to an error by Hensel.

1.2 The Transcendence of e

From the beginning, Hensel was intent on applying padic methods to transcendency

questions, a fashionable topic at the end of the 19th century. He gave a flawed

proof of the transcendence of e in 1905 during an invited lecture given in Merano,

Italy, to the Versnmmlung deutscher Nuturforscher und h z e (Meeting of German

Natural Scientists and Physicians). A discussion of Hensel's erroneous argument can

be found in [29]. Hensel later had to admit that ''The proof of the transcendency

of e given in ma( Meran lecture needs an essential campletion." This blunder did

not help the perceiveci legitimacy of padic numbers in mathematical circles.

Jean-Paul Bézivin and Philippe Robba obtained a padic proof of the

Lindemann-Weierstrass Theorem in a 1987 article [4]. This theorem states that the

values taken by the exponential function at different algebraic points are linearly

independent over the field of algebraic numbers. The Lindemann- Weierstrass

theorem impiies that e is transcendental. Referring to their result the authors

wrote:

"We are glad to vindicate Hensel in hzs idea that p-adic nwrnbers could be

used to proue transcendental results althuugh the proof devised here has

nothing to do urith the rnethod that Hensel intended to use."

1.3 The padic abdute value

Nevertheless, Hensel continued to develop his theory more fully. He introduced

topological notions to the world of padics by defining the p-adic absolute value of a

rational number x

where x = p " ~ ( ~ ) a withp ,+' a andp 1 b. The usual absolute value is written 1 1,. By b convention, vp(0) = a, hence 101, = O. It is easy to show that the padic absolute

value is non-archimedean, t hat is it satisfies the property

After laying this topological foundation, Hensel mostly concentrated on investigating

series which converge with respect to 1 1,. This change of outlook was the h s t step

towards padic numbers becoming an essential tool in Number Theory. Kürschak

generalized Hemel's work to derive the Theory of Vduations in 1913. The padic

valuation endows Q with a metric space structure. From the definition of 1 1, we

see that two rational numbers are deemed close if their difference (expressed in

lowest terms) has a numerator divisible by a high power of p.

It has been shown that Q is not complete with respect to 1 I p , that is, not aii Cauchy

sequences converge with respect to 1 l p . Recall that a sequence {xi), is Cauchy if

for every E > O in Q, there exists an N E PI such that if i, j > N then bi - xjlp < E.

Following the method of completing Q with respect to the usual absolute value to

obtain W, Qp can be regarded as the topological field obtained by completing Q with

respect to the padic absolute value. In this language, R is denoted Q,. This

absolute value takes on the same value on Q,, as it does on Q since the padic

absolute value of a.pn = llpmo is a rational number. nlmo

The padic nurnbers can then be seen, like the reals, as quivalence classes of Cauchy

sequences. padic analysis is quite simple compared to real analysis since a

necessary and sufficient condition for a series to converge in Qp is that its terms

approach zero. Two absolute values are equivalent if they induce the same topology

on Q. The trivid absolute value is the absolute value 1 1 such that 101 = O and = 1

for x + O. A theorem due to Ostrowski states that every non-trivial absolute value

on Q is equivalent to 1 lp where p is a prime or p = (see [l6], pp.44 for a proof).

The modern presentation of the subject normally follows these lines.

The ring of padic integers Zp is defined to be the set

Z i = {X E Qp : & 5 l}

The collection of all invertible elements of Zp forms the group of padic units Zi.

Since we need x and x-' to be elements of 4, the group of padic units is then

describecl to be the set

25; = {x E Qp : & = l}

Concretely, these are the elements of Qp that have a padic expansion a0 + o ip + ... where a0 + O. Every nonzero padic number x can be represented uniquely in the

form

x = piou

where u is a padic unit.

The field Q can be identifid with the subfield of & consisting of equivalence classes

containhg a constant Cauchy sequence (Le. all of whose terms are equal). This

shows that Q is properly containeci in Qp for any p

Q LI Q*

This is mdogous to the inclusion

@W - @((x - 4)

The field C(x ) is not equal to @((x - a)) since for example the series for t f = 5 is not an expansion of a rational function. Herein lies a paradox; The bigger field

Q (respectively C ( ( x - a))) gives us local information about the smaller global field

Q (respect ively @(x)) .

In general, given a valuation vp on a number field K, we can extend K to its

completion Kp. Piecing together information about the distinct completions Kp helps

us study properties of K. The following proposition is a simple example of solutions

to a global problem being deduced fiom local information.

Theorem 1.1 (Global Square Theorem)

A rational number x is a square in Q if and only if x is a square in Qp for all p 5 m.

Boo f [a ] Clear, since Q sits inside 9,.

[e ] Suppose x is a square in Qp for all p 5 m. If x = O we are done. Suppose x + 0.

We can write x =n pVp(*). If x is a square in W, then x ie positive. If x is a square P<='

at each prime p < a, then vp(x) is even for al1 p, which implies that x is a positive

number and is an even power. Thus x is a square in Q. O

To discuss squares, we will sometimes need the notational ease of the Legendre

symbol introduced in 1798.

Definition 1.1 (Legenàre Symbol)

Let p be an odd prime number and a an integer such that @,a) = 1. The Legendre

symbol of a and p is then:

The Legendre symbol has the multiplicative property ( % ) ($ ) = (* ) .

1.4 Hensel's Lemma

Hensel also produced a theorem which is now a standard tool in padic analysis. It

is amicably known as Hensel's .Lemma. This lemmo has its mots in Newton's

Method for finding the zeroes of a polynomial equation by successive refinements of

an initial approximate solution. Hensel's Lemma allows us to lift non-trivial

solutions of congruences modulo p to non-trivial padic solutions of polynomials.

Any field complete under a non-archimedean valuation, also satisfies Hensel's

Lemma. As J.W.S. Cassels states in [Il] pp.83:

"In the literature there i s a varietg of results that go under this name.

lheir comma feature is that the existence o f an approximate solution of

an equatia or system of equatiims in a complete valved field implies the

existence of an exad sohtion to which it i s an approximation, subjed to

conditions to the general e f f ed that the approximate solution i s cgood

enougiv " .

We will use the following versions of Hensel's Lernma;

Theorem 1.2 (Hensel's Lemma)

Let Xx) = a# + ... + a2x2 + a l x + <IO E &,[XI. Let f '(x) = na,,xn-l + ... +al be the

derivative of Ax). Suppose there exists a /3 E Zp such that flp) - O(modp) and f '(b)+O(modp). Then there exists a unique a E Zp such that

i) Aa) = O

i i) a = /3(modp).

Hensel's Lemma, among other things, allows us to d e t e k e the padic squares.

CorollaFy 1.1 p # 2

Let u E 4' be a padic unit. If there exists an a E Zp such

then u is a square in Zp.

fioof Let u E Zi. Suppose there exists a a E Zp such that

Hensel's Lemma, this solution lifts to a padic solution since p

2a+O(modp).

that u2 - u(modpZ,), a2 = u(modpZ,). B y

+ 2 and a E Zpx thus

We d l sometimes need to use the stronger version of Hensel's Lemma.

Theorem 1.3 (Hensel's Lemma)

Let B E Zp satisfy the condition fl/3)lp < I~'(#?)I;. Then there exists an a E 5 such thatfla) = O and a - p(modp). The equation x2 - 17 = O is a case in point for the need cf Theorem 1.3 because it

does indeed have mots in Q2 (try B = 1). An immediate consequence of Theorern

1.3 is the foilowing Corollary.

Corollary 1.2 A 2-adic unit u is a square in Z2 if aad only if u = l(mod8Z2).

Roof Let u E Z; andflx) = x 2 - U . Assume u - l(mod8Z2). Then RI)( 12" is

strictly smaiier than V'(1)I2 = 2-2. By Theorem 1.3 there exists an a E Zt such that

a2 = u. The other direction follows frorn the fact that u2 = (1 + = l(mod8Z2). O

Now r ecd that every nonzero padic number x c m be represented uniquely in the

form x = pnu, where u is a padic unit and n = v,(x) E 2. So, putting Coroilary 1.1

and 1.2 together, we obtain

Theorem 1.4

Let x = upn, u E Zi, n E Z , x is a padic square if

1. n = O(mod2)

2. a2 = u(modpZp) for p + 2, u - l(mod8Zt) for p = 2.

Note that squaring u = 1 + 8k where k E Z2 results in the fourth powers in Z;. For

any k E Z2, we find that (1 + 8kl2 is congruent to 1 modulo 16. It turns out that

the fourth powers in Z; exactly correspond to the elements which are congruent to 1

modulo 16.

The following is an n-variable version of Hemel's Lemma, which will prove quite

useful later on.

Theorem 1.5 (Hensel's Lernma; n-variable version)

Let A x l , ..., x,,) E Z&, ..., x.]. Suppose there exists BI, PZ, ..., B. E 2& such that

ABi, pz, ..., pn) = O(modp) and for some i the partial derivative off with respect to xi

satisfies waXi(Pr, pz, ..., &)+O(m~dp), then there exists a 1 , ..., an E Zp S U C ~ that:

i) f(a1, ..., an) = O

ii) ai = B i ( d p ) , f o r 1 5 i 5 n.

Chapter 2

The Hasse Principle

The theme of this chapter is the link between the behaviour of quadratic forms (with

rational coefficients) over the rational field Q and over the various padic fields Qp

(Q, = IR). The main result in this area is the Hasse-Minkowski Theorem which

reduces questions over Q about quadratic forms with rational coefficients to the

corresponding questions over Qp.

2.1 Helxnut Hasse

As previously mentioned, the events of 1905 left the impression that padic numbers

were an unfruchtbarer Seitenweg (fkuitless sideway; Quote of Richard Courant

found in [21], Vol. 1, pp-viii). Fortunately for the legwy of padic numbers, a

mathematicdy gifted young man named Helmut Hasse stumbled upon a copy of

Hensel's 1913 text Zahlentheorie in a Gottingen second-hand bookstore in March of

1920. In the 1st chapter of this book, Hensel applies padic methods to binary and

ternary quadrat ic forms wit h rational coefficients, obtaining necessary condit ions for

the representability of a rational number.

Hasse was so fascinated by the theory of p-adic numbers that he decided to study

them at the source. Less than two months after that fatefd day in March, Hasse

matriculated at Marburg University to study under Hensel. Hensel urged Hasse to

continue the work done in the last chapter of Zahlentheorie. In particular, Hensel

gave his student the task of determinhg whether the necessary conditions he had

found were also sufficient. In addition, Hasse was to examine quaternary quadratic

forms for analogous conditions.

Hasse quickiy delivered. One short year after entering Marburg, Hasse graduatecl as

Dodor F%dzsqphziae. In his doctoral dissertation (1 921), Hasse compietely solves

the problem Hensel had given him not only for ternary forms, but for n-ary forms.

A theorem dating back to Legendre was key in Hasse's solution to the problem.

Legendre had reduced the problem of deciding if a homogeneous quadratic form with

rational coefficients has a rational zero to

Theorem 2.1 (Legendre's Theorem)

Let a,b,c be integers other than O and not al l of the same sign, where abc is square

hee. Then the equation ax2 + b 9 + a2 = O has a non-trivial solution x, y, z E Z if

and only if -bc,-ac,-ab are quadratic residues modulo lai, Ibl, Ici respectively.

Hasse needed a way to translate Legendre's result to padic numbers, which he did

not readily see. He wrote to Hensel for guidance, receiving it in the form of a

postcard (reproduced in vol 1 pp.ix of [21]). Hensel's reply helped Hasse see that the

conditions given by Legendre are equivalent to saying that the ternary form admits

a non-trivial padic representation of zero for each prime p. Then Legendre's

Theorem itself states that it also admits a non-trivial rational representation of zero.

To see how to interpret Legendre's Theorem padically @ # 2), observe that a, b and

c not all being of the same sign (Le. the form is indefinite) guarantees that

ax2 + b# + cz2 = O has a nomtrivial solution over W. Furthermore, since the

equation concerned is homogeneous, the distinct ion between rational and integral

solutions vanishes. So we can assume x, y and z are relatively prime integers. Note

that if p 1 abc, then t d + by + d = O has a non-trivial padic solution. To show

this, let t = 1 and consider the congruence td s -c - b9(modp). Since m? takes on

P+L values modulo p and so does -c- b?, they thus have a value in cornmon 2 which is the solution modulo p. This solution, Say (x~,yo,zo), lifts to a padic

solution since all partial derivatives evaluated at (xo,yo,zo) are not congruent to O

modp.

Suppose ar2 + Z$ + a2 = O has a non-trivial padic solution for ail p. To show -ab is

a quadratic residue modc it is necessary and sufficient to show (P) = 1 for aJl

pic (by the Chinese Remainder Theorem). Assume plc. If p b and ply then pk which

is a contradiction. Thus x and y are prime to p. The congruence

ux2 + by' = O(modp) is solvable in Z which implies that -ab is a quadratic residue

modp for all primes p dividing c. So, -ab is a quadratic residue modc.

NOW, assume -bc - u2(modp) where p ,f bcu and let f = x x , y,z) = ax2 + by2 + cz2.

There exists an integer d such that cd = ~(modp) . We then have -bc - c2d2(modp)

thus O = cdt + b(modp). This results in AO, 1, d) = b + cd2 - O(modp). Since p # 2

and p 1 b then û$Vy(O, 1,d) = 2b+O(modp). By Hensel's Lemma applied to

f(x,y,z) = ar2 + b y + a2 there exists ai,az,a3 E Zp such that

2 2 flai,a2,a3) = =al2 +ba2 +ca3 = O

where (at,az,a3) = (O,l,d)(modp).

2.2 The NasseMinkowski Theorem

Once Hasse had understood the theorem padically, he proved that it also holds for

any n-ary quadratic form with rational coefficients. Hasse was now in a position to

formulate his first Local-Global Principle fur the representation of numbers by

quadratic forms. Hasse called this the Fundamental Theorem for the representation

of numbers by quadratic forms. His result first appeared in the Crelle Journal of

1923 under the title Cfber die Darstellbarkeit von Zahlen d m h quadratische

F m e n i m Kôrper der rationalen Zahlen (About the representability of a

quadrutic fm in the field of rational numbers) [17]:

Theorem 2.2 (Hasse-Minkowski)

A quadratic form f with rational coefficients represents zero non-trivialiy in the field

of rational numbers Q if and only if f represents zero non-trivially in the field of real

numbers W and in all fields of padic numbers Qp.

The Hasse-Minkowski Theorem is the simplest, purest form of the Local-Global

Principle. We will see the proof in Chapter 5. The Hasse-Minkowski Theorem

completely solves the problem of deciding whether a quadratic form with rational

coefficients represents a given rationd number because of the following:

Theorem 2.3

If a nonsingular quadratic form represents zero non-triviaily in some field K of

characteristic not equal to 2 then it represent all elements of K non-trivially.

Rm f First, note that if K is a field of characteristic different from 2, any

nonsingular quadratic form C a g ~ i ~ j (ag E K, 1 5 i, j 5 n) can be put into diagonal

form

2 2 by a linear change of variables ([6] pp.392). Let f l ~ i , . . ~ n ) = a ix 1 + ... + anxn be in

GI ,..., x,,] and let (BI ,..., Bn) E K" be a non-trivial solution to f = O (Le.

2 aiBi + . . . + t ~ , , / ? ~ ~ = O ) . Without loss of generality, we may assume B i c O. Let y be

any element of K. We want to show that f can be made to represent y. Write

xi = p i ( l + t) , xk = Pk(l - t ) for k = 2, ..A Substituting in the form f we obtain

Setting t = yl(4a 1 2 ) , we see that f represents y. O

The Local-Global Principle, also known as the Hasse Rinciple, was the vindication

of Hemel's creation. It was the h t intimation of the padic numbers' true

potentid. After a reasonably long period of time, their study subsequently regained

importance. "[ ...] the metits of this approach t w k a long tirne to percolate into

the collective mathematical conscimsness. As late as 1930 C.E. Dz'cksm m l d

write a mmograph a quadratic f m s [...] and Morde11 m l d review it [...]

withmt either o f them betraying the least awareness of the p d i c viezopaint"

(Ref: [9], pp.vi). Minkowski's name appears in the title cf the theorem because he

had found an equivalent result in 1890.

Theorem 2.4 (Minkowski's Theorem)

Given a quadratic form A x I , ..., x,) with rational coefficients, if A x 1, ..., x,) = O(modpr)

bas a non-trivial solution for ad primes p and positive integer r and i f f lx l , ..., x,) = O

has a non-trivial solution in the reals, then j(x i , ..., xn) = O has a non-trivial rational

solution.

Minkowski's Theorem is equivalent to the Hasse-Minkowski Theorem. If we are

given a quadratic form with rational coefficients f i ,, ..., x ~ ) , the congruence

f l x i , ..., xn) = O(modpk) is solvable for all k 2 1 if and only if the equation

f l x 1, ...,xn) = O is solvable in padic integers. For instance to solve x2 = 2 in Q7 we

must solve the system of congruences x2 - 2(mod7'), for all r 2 1. Doing the

calculation, we obtain the square mots of 2: fi = xi = 3 + 1 x 7 + 2 x 7* + 6 x 73

and = x z = 4 + 5 x 7 + 4 ~ 7 ~ + 0 ~ 7 ~ =-XI

As J.W.S. Cassels states in his article Diophantine Equations &th Special

Re ference to Elliptic Curves:

'me use of p-ad.ic nurnbers 2s ut first sight rather arti ficial compared with

the older lanpage of mgmences but of fers great technical aduantages

because Qp is a field whe~eas 2 modpn i s not even an integral d o m a ~ n . ~

2.3 Hilbert's Eleventh Problem

Hilbert, a close fkiend of Minkowski, had studied at length the quadratic extensions

Q(&) of Q, which is tantamount to studying binary quadratic forms. He was

determined to generalize Minkowski's Theorem to quadratic forms with algebraic

numbers as coefficients. This search ied him to prove the existence of certain class

fields. He stressed the importance he placed on extending Minkowski's Theorem by

proposing this as his eleventh problem in his address delivered before the

International Congress of Mathematicians in Paris in 1900. Hilbert believed at the

time that:

11. Quaciratic forms wit h any algebraic numerical coefficients

' ' ~ r present lnauledge of the themg of quadratic fields puts us in a

position to attack successfully the theory of quadratic f m s &th any

numbe~ of variables and &th any aigebraZc numetiml coe f fidents." (341

The Hasse-Minkowski Theorem as stated above does not completely solve Hilbert's

eleventh problem, since we are just over the rationals. We wiil see in Chapter 8

that Hasse swn generalized the Hasse-Minkowski Theorem to arbitrary algebraic

fields.

Chapter 3

Diophant ine Equat ions

Although padic numbers have a function theoretic origin, they are at their best

when applied to the theory of Diophantine equations. The study of Diophantine

equations is the branch of Number Theory dealing with integer or rational solutions

to polynomial equations. A curve of genus O dehed over Q is birationaily

equivalent over Q either to the line or to a conic section ar2 +bf +a2 = 0,

a,b,c E Q (See [9] pp.255, for a sketch of the proof). This reduces the study of

Diophantine equations of genus O c w e s to the study of conics.

As one might expect, the Local-Global Principle is often used to answer questions

about rational solutions of Diophantine equations. An equation f = O is said to

satisfy the Hasse Principle if the existence of non-trivial local solutions of f = O

implies the existence of a non-trivial global solution. it is often extremely difficult

to determine the solvability of a Diophantine equation in the integers or the

ration&, such as xn +yn + zn = O, n > 2. On the other hand, the solvability rnodulo

a prime p, can be determined in a finite number of steps. Also, the existence of real

solutions is easily determined by sign consideratiom. Thus for each prime p 5 00,

Hensel's Lemma then shows that the question of existence of solutions of any given

Diophantine equation over IR or Q,, is decidable in the sense of mathematical logic.

So in general approaching a problem locdly is easier than tackling the same problem

globally. Think of the problem of finding a local minimum of a function in

cornparison to the problem of finding its global minimum. This implies a strategy;

The old idea of divide and conquer prevails.

Theorem 3.1 (Necessary Conditions for Solvability)

A necessaxy condition for the existence of rational solutions to a polynomial

equation f = O with rational coefficients is that it has padic solutions for all primes

p. If f = O has integer coefficients then a necessary condition for the existence of

integer solutions is that f = O(modp) has solutions for al1 primes p.

Hence we can approach Q through its local fields Qp and also approach each Qp

through the finite fields IFp by reduction modulo p. Consider the equation

After clearing the denominators, we may look for x, y,z E L and assume that

gcd(x,y,z) = 1. If Sb and SC then s21(3x2 + 4 9 ) SR which contradicts o u .

assurnption that gcd(x, y , z ) = 1 . If 5 j' x or 5 y, the congruence

is impossible since 3 is not a quadratic residue modulo 5. So 3x2 + 4y2 - 5z2 = O has

no non-trivial solution in Q. The quadratic equation

is also clearly insoluble rationally since no real solution exists. It is easy to see by

examples that if a general polynomial equation has a solution modulo p, no

conclusions can be drawn. The congruence conditions are not sufficient. For

instance 3x2 + 4y2 - 5z2 = O has a non-trivial solution modulo 7, but no non-trivial

solution in Q.

Many interesting results may be obtained through congruence considerations. For

instance, the equat ion

x,' +h3 + 4 ~ ~ ~ = hC4 3 @(xi ~ 2 ~ 3 ~ x 4 ) = 1

with xi E Pr, only has the trivial solution. This foilows easily from the fact that

3 o3 = 0,f l (mod9) for any integer a, so x , + 2x2' + 4 q 3 = O(mod9) has the sole

solution xi = x2 = x3 = O(mod9) which results in x4 = O(mod9).

3.2 Irrationality of fi and the Three Square Theorem

The following is essenti* the classical proof of the irrationality of 2 stated in the

language of padics.

Theorem 3.2 a is irrational.

A-oo f Consider the equation x2 = 2. Taking the 2-adic valuat ion on both sides; If

x2 = 2 has a solution a in Qz then a2 = 2. So 2v(a) = v(2) = 1 . No such a exists.

Thus x2 = 2 has no solution in Q2. Since Q is a subfield of Q I , we certainiy do not

have any solutions in Q. Similar reasoning yields that @ is irrational for every

positive prime p. O

In 1770, Lagrange proved that every positive integer is a sum of squares of four

integers. In 1798, Legendre answered the deeper question: Exadly w hat positive

integers need al1 four squares? Of course, Legendre's proof did not use the

foliowing Local-Global argument.

Theorem 3.3 (Legendre's Three Square Theorem)

A positive integer n is a sum of squares of three integers if and only if it is not of the

form 4'(8k + 7) where r, k E Z,r 2 0.

Roof By the Hasse-Minkowski Theorem, we must show that n is represented by the

form f =Ax,y,z) = x2 +$ + in IR and all Qp. The real case is clear. By Theorem

2.3, if x2 +?+ 9 represents O over Qp, then it represents ail elements of Qp, so it

certainly represents the positive integer n. We will assume that the condition of

Davenport-Cassels Theorem holds (proof (24) pp.46). This theorern states that,

under a certain condition, if an integer n is represented by f in Q then it is also

represented by f in Z.

Cl-: The form f represents O at all completions of Q except perhaps at Qz.

Roof of Claim. Since the equation concerned is homogeneous, we may look for

x,y,z E 9. Consider the congruence x2 +y + z2 = O(modp) for all p z 2. Suppose

there is no solution of the given congruence. If there exists a E Z such that

B2 - -1 (modp) the congruence

x2 + y2 + z2 - O(modp)

would have the solution ( 1 , / 3 , O ) , so ($ ) = -1. Also, if we assume (F ) = 1 for

some integer a s 0 , - 1 (modp), then ( ) = - 1 Otherwise we would be able to

find x,y,z E Z such that a - y2(modp), and -(a + 1 ) - z2(modp) and the congruence

xZ + y2 + z2 - O(modp) would have the solution ( 1 , a, -(a + 1 ) ) = (x, y, z). We find

that

which implies that every nonzero residue class modulo p is a quadratic residue

moddo p. This is a contradiction since p > 2. The mod p solutions ail lift to padic

solutions by Hemel's Lemma. Therefore f represents O in Qp for all odd primes p.

Now, observe that for any integer x we have x2 = 0,l or 4(mod8). Hence x2 + y2 +z2

cannot be congruent to 7 modulo 8. Furthermore, x2 = O,l(mod4) so if

x2 + y 2 +z2 = O(mod4), x,y and z are even, Say x = hi, y = Zyi, z = î z i . Hence if 2 4 ' ( 8 k + 7 ) = x 2 + y 2 + & then 4 C 1 ( 8 k + 7 ) = x , Z + y 1 2 + z l . So we see that if

(x,y,z) E z3 is smailer height

result in 8k + 7

a solution to the equation there exists another integer solution of

(H(P) =max{~l ,M,~>) . Contiming in this fashion (descent) would

= Xr 2 + + zr 2, a contradiction.

The method of descent seen above was h s t introduced by Fermat. We can now

effortlessly derive Lagrange's result .

Theorem 3.4 (Lagrange's Four Square Theorem)

Any positive integer n is a sum of squares of four integers.

R o o f . If n is not of the form 4'(8k + 7), it is the sum of 3 squares. Otherwise,

4-n = -1 (mod 8) and thus 4-n - 1 = 6(mod 8) so n - 4r is a sum of three squares.

Thus n = (n - 4') + 4' is the s u m of four squares.

Chapter 4

The Hilbert Symbol

It is natural at this point to introduce the Hilbert symbol which will make our

statements more concise.

4.1 The Hilbert Symbol

Since any quadratic form is equivalent to a diagonal form, we may confine our

attention to quadratic forms which are in the diagonal form. In particular any

ternary quadratic form with coefficients in K is equivalent to d + by + a2 (a, b, c E K) which represents zero if and only if z2 - ar' - b y (a, b E K) represents

zero. The representability of zero in the field K by a quadratic form in three

variables can then be expressed with the Hilbert symbol of a and b relative to K

if z2 - ax2 - b$ = O has a non-trivial solution in K ( U , ~ ) K =

ot herwise

Proposition 4.1

Let a,b E K" be square £iee and let ~(6). The equation z2 - ax2 - bfl = O has a

non-trivial solution in P if and only if a is the norm of an element in ~(6)'.

Roof Let a = Z+ ~n be a typicd nonzero element of fi)" and a = N(a) its

norm. Since b is not a square, ~(6). is a quadratic extension of K. There exists

Y , Z E K " such that a = Z 2 - b p . The equation 12-m2-by' = O then has the

solution (x,y,z) = ( 1 , Y, Z ) and so (a, b ) ~ = 1. Conversely , i f (a, b ) ~ = 1 , the equation

z2 - ax2 - b? = 0 has a non-trivial solution in K3. Observe that x t O or else b

would be a square so a = 22 - b p where Z = z/x and Y = ylx. We see that a is then

the n o m of Z+ J ~ Y .

By Proposition 4.1, one can rewrite the Hilbert symbol in terms of norms

i f a = N(a) ; a E ~(6). ot herwise

From the multiplicativity of the norrn, it follows that

(a, b)(a, b l ) = (a, 66').

In particular (a, b) = 1 (a, bb') = (a, b'). Furthermore, since the definition of the

Hilbert symbol depends on the solvability of z2 - d - b$ = O, and since (xo,yo,zo)

is a solution of z2 - ax2 - bbyZ = O then (xo, zo, yo) is a solution of z2 - bx2 - ay2 = 0.

Thus the Hilbert symbol is symmetric, that is

( a b ) = @,a).

Combining these last two properties one gets the bilinearity of the Hilbert symbol

Now, the equation z2 - pi2 + a? = O has solutions x = y, z = O, the equation

9 - t u 2 - y 2 + & = 0 has solutions x = y = z and z 2 - a x 2 t c 2 y 2 = 0 bas the

solutions (O, y, z = kcy) also (a, -a) = (a, -l)(a, a). We thus get the foliowing

properties

(a,*) = (a,c2) = (a , l -a ) = 1 and @,a) = (a,-1).

The Hilbert symbol also has that property

(a, b ) = (a, -ab)

For later use, we introduce an explicit means by which to calculate the Hilbert

symbol of o and b relative to the padic field Qp, the proof of which is herein

ornitted.

Theorem 4-1

Let a,b E Qp where a = ~ p ~ p ( ~ ) and b = vp '~(~) ; U , v E Zi, p f 2. The values of the

Hilbert symbol over Qp for dinerent primes p are given by:

Rm f See [24] pp. 2 1.

Corollary 4-1

Let u,b E Q where a = upn and b = vpm; u7v E z;. F o r p f 2 , q ifp ,f ab then the

Hilbert symbol (a,b)Qp = 1 . For p = 2 if 2 1 ab and u or v is congruent to 1 modulo

4 then ( a , b ) ~ , = 1 .

Corollary 4.2

Let p and q be odd primes, p + q. Then

1 ifp = l ( m d 4 )

-1 ifp = 3(mod4)

4.2 Hilbert's Tenth Problem

10. Determination of the solvability of a Diophantine equation

"Given a Diophantzne equation with any number of unknowns and with

rational integer coe ffiaents. Devise a process, which wuld detennine by a

finite number of operations whether the equatim is solvable in rational

integers ." [34]

Corollary 4.1 impiies that there is a method to test whethcr or not z2 - ax2 - b y = O

has a solution in Q,,, p < 00 (in a finite number of steps) since we need only consider

the primes which divide a or b. By the Hasse-Minkowski Theorem, this means that

there is a method to test, in a finite number of steps, whether or not a given ternary

quadratic form with rational coefficients has a rational zero. For p = a the method

is even more simple. This answers Hilbert's Tenth ptoblem for Diophantine

equations of degree 2 in three variables. The Hasse-Minkowski Theorem provides an

algorithm to determine the solvability of any quadratic form over a field of

characteristic other than 2. The general Hilbert's tenth problem has been shown to

be impossible to solve by Matijasevic in 1970.

Chapter 5

Proof of the HasseMinkowski Theorem

We now have all the necessary tools to prove the Hasse-Minkowski Theorem (stated

below). Most important to keep in mind is that even though we assumeci solutions

in Q,, @ # 2) at the omet, once we have reduced to the diagonal form with

relatively prime, square fiee nonzero ai, this is equivalent to having a solution in IFp

( p # 2) because of Hemel's Lemma.

5.1 Proof for Ternary Quadratic Forms (n = 3)

Since all ternary quadratic forms with rational coefficients can be transformed into

the form flx,y,z) = z2 - ux2 - b y , we can focus our attention on those forms and

rewrite the Hasse-Minkowski Theorem of Chapter 2 as

Theorem 5.1 (Hasse-Minkowski)

The quadratic form flx,y,z) = 9 - ax2 - b y = O, where a, b E Q, has non-trivial

solutions in Q if and only if it has nomtrivial solutions in Qp for each p < m.

Awf First, some preliminary remarks. We may assume that a and b are integers.

If not, for instance if we have z2 - (l/s)x2 - c$ = O, simply substitute x = sxo and we 2 then have z2 -sxo - cy2 = O to work with. We may also assume that a and b are

square kee by absorbing the square factor into one of the unknowns. We may look

for x, y,z E Z since j(x, y,z) = O can be solved in Q if and only if it can be solved in Z

(because f is homogeneous). Without loss of generality we may also suppose that

5 161 and that x,y,z have no cornmon factor. Let us now begin the proof, which is

by induction on m = + 161.

The general case a = O and b # O, which covers the cases m = 1 s a = 0, Ibl = 1 and

m = 2 where a = O and 161 = 2, reduces to the question: If b is a square modulo p

for al1 p 5 ao is b a squa~e in Q? This question was answered by the Global Square

T heorem (Theorem 1.1).

If m = 2, where la1 = 161 = 1 , we have the four poçsibilities:

The first three equations have solutions in Q thus trivially in all the padic fields Q,.

The last equation has no solutions in W so it clearly has no solutions in Q, i.e.

( 1 , l ) ~ = - 1 s (1 , l )Ql = -1.

Now suppose m 2 3 and that for b l + lbl < k and that (a,b)% = 1 for all p 5 cc

implies (a, b)q = 1 . Write

where the pi are distinct primes.

Claim: a is a square modulo pi for all pi(b.

If a = O(mod pi) then a is a square modulo pi.

If otO(modpi), then since (a,b)% = 1 , 3 x,y,z E Qpl not d zero such that

z2 - 4ir2 - b y = O. This can be reduced to the congruence z2 - &(modpi). If a is

not a square modulo pi then x = O(mdpi) which in turn implies z2 = O(modpi).

Hence pi divides x,y and z, a contradiction.

Now, a is a square modulo pi for all pilb, so by the Chinese Rernainder Theorem , a

is a square modulo b. There thus e s t integers t, and b'such that;

t2 = a + bb' (5.1)

By inspection of (5.1), z2 -a? - bb'y = O has the solution ( l , l , t ) = (x,y,z), that is

to say (a, bb')Q = 1 which trivially impües that (a, bb')qp = 1 V p < a. Choose t such

that # 5 y. Then,

since Ibl 2 2. So + 16'1 < k and thus, by the hypothesis, we have the implication

(a,bl)% = 1 V p 5 m a, ( ~ , b ' ) ~ = 1 . Applying the properties of the Hilbert symbol

seen in the previous chapter, we have (a, b)qp = I V p 5 00 and (a, bb')qP = 1Vp 5 m

thus (a, bl)% = 1 V p < m which implies (a, b l )p = 1 by hypothesis. Finaily, we have

( ~ , b b ' ) ~ = l and ( ~ , b ' ) ~ = l , so ( a , b ) q = l . This ends the proof of the

Hasse-Minkowski Theorem for ternary quadratic forms.

5.2 Proof for n > 3

The idea behind the proof of the Hasse-Minkowski Theorem for four variables is to

construct an integer r which is simultaneously represented by the forms

2 2 2 g = alxl + < r 2 ~ ~ ~ and h = -a3x3 - acr4 (ai E Q) resulting in a rational

representation of zero by the indefinite form

2 2 2 X X I ,x2,x3,xd) = aixl + ~ 2 x 2 + a3x3 + ~ 4 - q ~

We will see that the construction of such an integer follows fiom the padic

solvabiüty off = O at all primes. The existence of the integer r with the required

properties will then be proved using Dirichlet's Theorem on primes in arithmetic

progressions.

Theorem 5.2 (Dirichlet's Theoiem)

If a and m are relatively prime integers greater than O, then there exist infinitely

many primes p such that p = a(modm).

Theorem 5.3

Let K be a field with more than five elements. If aix12 + ... + onxn2 = O (ai E K) has

a non-trivial solution in K then it has solution in K for which all the variables take

non-zero values.

Rw f [6] pp. 394.

Theorem 5.4

The quaternaxy quadratic form with rational coefficients

2 2 2 flxi,xz,x3,x4) = o p l + a2x2 + a3x3 + am2 = O

where the ais are square f i e , is solvable in Q if and only if it is solvable in Qp for all

p I a.

Roof (Ref. [6] pp.68). Since the form f is solvable in IR, it is indefinite, Say a 1 > O

and a4 < O . We will consider the forms

2 2 g=o1x l + a z ~ 2 2 and h=-a3x3 -a4x4 2

Let S denote the set of distinct odd primes which divide the coefficients a 1, a2, a3

and ad, together with the prime 2 and the infinite prime. Since f = O is solvable in

Qp for all p 5 00, it is in particular solvable for all p E S. By Theorem 5.3, we can

choose a representation of zero for each prime p E S

where ad # O. Fix bP = a 1 + a2822 = - ( t z j ~ ~ ~ + 0 4 8 ~ ~ ) . If some b, = O, then h

and g represent zero in Qp, hence they represent all numbers by Theorem 2.3. So

we may assume that our representation is such that each bp is a nonzero padic

integer divisible by at most the k s t power of p.

Consider the system of congruences

The integer r * O, which we may choose to be positive, is uniquely determinecl 2 moduio n = 16p12--p~ by the Chinese Remainder Theorern. Since bpi is divisible

by at most the first power of pi, then Ibp,r-'l,, = 1 (Le. bP,r-l is a pi-adic unit) and

b#' = l(modpi). Hence bp,r-' is a quadratic residue modulo p z p and thus bp,r-' is

a pi-adic square (Corollary 1.1) . Also, 22 X 62, so b2r1 - l(mod8Z2) and b 2 r 1 is a

2-adic square (Corollary 1.2). Since bp and r dways ciiffer by a square factor in all

Qp for p E S, both the forms

2 2 2 2 2 2 - a s 3 -a& -rx,, and a i q +a223 -q

represent zero in Qp for al1 p E S. Since we assumed ai < O and a4 > O, both forms

are indefinite and thus have a solution in W. If p e S and p ,f r then p does not

divide any of the coefficients of the ternary forms and thus the forms represent zero

in Qp (Corollary 4.1). If there is one more prime q S such that q 1 r, we can use

the fact that if a quadratic form with rational coefncients f represents zero in all

fields Q p for all p 5 except possibly for Q, for some prime q, then f &O represents

zero in Q,. The reason why this is true will become clear in Chapter 9. Now, by

the ternary case of the Hasse-Minkowski Theorem proved above, there exists

2 2 2 rationai numbers ci,c2, o and e4 such that r = oicl + ~ 2 ~ 2 ~ ' = -a3c3 - a4c4 , so

that

To prove the existence of such an integer r, we may use Dirichlet's Theorem on

prime numbers in arithmetic progressions. Let s be a number satisfymg the system

of congruences above and let d = gcd(s,m). Then sld and mld are relatively prime

and Dirichlet's Theorem implies that there is a positive integer k such that

sld + km/d = q is prime. We can then let r = s + km = dq. The result follows.

For five variables we repeat the argument above, £inding an integer r by Dirichlet's 2 2 2 Theorem which is represented by g = o 1x1 ' + =lx2 and h = -(a3x3 + a& + asx5 2).

Then by Hasse-Minkowski Theorem for three and four variables, g and h represents

r in Q, giving us a rational representation of zero by

2 2 2 2 2 a l x l + a2x2 + a3x3 + a4x4 + asx5 . It is easy to see that repeated application of this process will produce a proof of the

n variable Hasse-Minkowski.

Theorem 5.5

Any quadratic form in five or more variables with coefficients in Qp always has a

non-trivial solution in Qp.

Roof See [6] pp.51.

In combination with the Hasse-Minkowski Theorem, Theoreu 5.5 implies the result

Theorem 5.6

Every indefinite quadratic form f in five or more variables has a non-trivial rational

zero.

The success in applying padic numbers to the theory of quadratic forms made it

natural to consider applying them to forms of higher order. Artin had conjectureci;

Artin's Conjecture

All homogeneous equations in Qp[x ,, ..., x.] of degree r in at least 9 + 1 variables

have a non-trivial solution in Q.

Artin's conjecture holds for r = 2 by virtue of Theorem 5.5. The conjecture has also

been proved for r = 3, (Refer to [27]). The general Artin Conjecture remained open

for approximately thirty years until a counterexample of degree r = 4 in 18 variables

was discovered in 1966 by G. Terjanian [28]. Terjanian first notes that it sunices to

have a homogeneous polynomial of degree 4, flxi, ..., x9) E Z[xi, ..., x93 with the

property that J x l , ..., x9) = O(mod4) implies al1 the xj are divisible by 2 to have a

counterexample. Indeed the polynomial

would then be a counterexample because if it had a zero in Q , it would have a

primitive zero in Z2, which is not possible. To verify the 1 s t statement, suppose

there is a primitive zero in &. The form flxi, ..x9) is then congruent to O modulo 4

which impiies 2 divides xi for i = 1, ..., 9. So 16 divides (5.2) which implies that 4

divides j(xio, ..., x l s ) and hence 2 divides xi for i = 10, ..., 18. Terjanian then

constructs the following polynomial:

which bas the desired property. It is easily verified that if x,y and z are divisible by

2, then n = O(mod4). If any one of x, y or z is not divisible by 2 then n = 3(mod4).

Consequently flx 1, . . .,x9) - O(mod4) implies t hat all xi's are divisible by 2 and we

have a counterexample by the discussion above.

There is a conciliatory theorem [Z] which states that

Theorem 5.7

For any natural number r, there exists a h i t e set S of primes such that any form of

degree r over Q, represents zero non-trivially for every p not in S, provided that the

number of variables is at least 6 + 1.

However, there is no known method for determining the set S of exceptionai prime

numbers ([24] pp.39). Theorems 5.5 and 5.7 are part of a f d y of theorems in

Number Theory which read, as Borevich-Shafarevich put it: "A11 is well as lmg as

the number of variables és sufficiently large" [6] pp.57. In 1957, B.J. Birch

proved in his article Homogeneous f m s of odd degree in a large nurnber o f

variables [5] that: Given an odd number d, there exists an n such that every

homogeneous equation of degree d in n variables has a non-trivial rational solution.

5.4 Projecting a Conic onto a Line

The Hasse-Minkowski Theorem does not help us find a rational solution, it only tells

us whether or not o u - search would be in vain. If our quadratic equation has a

rational solution, it has infinitely many. Once we have explicitly found a rational

point P = (xo,yo) on a rational conic f ; we can derive ail others by drawing the

rational line L = y - y0 = t(x - xo) where t is rational and projecting the conic onto

the line from point P. Consider the classicai problem of parametrizing the

Pythagorean triples. Integer solutions to

P+P=ZZ

where X, Y and Z have no common factors correspond tc rational solutions to the

unit circle

x2 +y2 = 1

where x = X/Z and y = Y/Z are in lowest term. We will project £rom the point (-1,O)

onto the y-axis. Let (O, t ) be the yintercept and let L denote the lhe through (-1.0)

and (O,?). Armed with the knowledge of x and y, we may get t easily since the dope

of L is t = 2 E Q. The equation of L is then y = t(x + 1). If the point (x,y) is 1 +x

on the circle and the line L we obtain the relation

(1 + x)(l -x) = 1 -x2 = y2 = t 2 ( l +x)2

Cancelling out an (x + 1), solving for x and ushg the relation y = t(1 + x ) to solve for

y one gets the familiar parametrization of the unit circle as the set

Clearly x and y are rational if and only if t is rational. AU rational points on the

unit circle x2 + y 2 = 1 may be found by simply plugging in arbitrary rational

numbers in place of t. This technique dows us to describe the infinite amount of

rational points on any conic completely given one ratiorial point. Hence, the

Diophantine theory of conics, dominated by the Hasse Principle, is well-understood.

Chapter 6

Equivalence of Quadratic Forms

Mathematicians of the 18th century were greatly preoccupied by the problem of

determining conditions for the existence of soiut ions to binary quadratic equations

+ bxy + c$ + dr + ey + f = O with integer coefficients and to find algorithms to

find ail such solutions. It was determined early on that one need only consider

equations of the form (a, b, c) = ux2 + bxy + cy2 = n where a, b and c are relatively

prime Le. primitive forms. When faced with the problem of finding integer solutions

for such an equation, it is normal to try to simplifv it by doing a change of

variables. For instance performing the transformation xo = 30x + 43y, y0 = y on

2 lSx2 + 43xy + 32y2 = 223 &es us the simpler equation: xo + 7 lyo2 = 13380. An

elementary calculation yieids the solutions xo = S î , y0 = f8. However, the

comesponding solutions for our original equation, x = (1/30)(x0 - 43yo), y = YO, are

not integers.

The need to find invertible transformations led Lagrange to lay the foundation for

the classification of quadratic forms. Let K be an arbitrary field of characteristic n

different from 2. Let f =x agXiXj, where = aji (av E K) . Let K be an arbitrary

field of characteristic different £rom 2. The determinant d of the quadratic form f is

the determinant of A = (ar/), the matrix of the quadratic form j: If d = O the form f

is said to be singular. Otherwise, it is c d e d nonsingular. Two quadratic forms f

and g are calleci equivalent (denoted by f-g) if there is a nonsingular linear change

of variables, which takes one form to the other. Equivalent forms represent the

same numbers. The following theorems were found in the Algebraac Supplement of

Borevich-Shsfarevich [6]. The reader is referred to this text for the proofs.

Theorem 6.1

If two quadratic forms over the field K are equivalent over K, then their

determinants differ by a nonzero factor which is a square in K.

Definition 6.1

Let f and g be two noasingular quadratic forms. The form f + g denotes l(x) + g(y)

where x and y are independent sets of variables (Le. we are taking the direct sum of

the two quadratic spaces.)

Theorem 6.2 (Witt's Theorem)

Let Ag, h be nonsingular quadratic forms over K. If the forms f +g and f + h are

equivalent over K then g and h are equivalent over K.

Theorem 6.3

If a quadratic form f in n variables with coefficients in a field K represents a # O

then f is equivalent to ux2 + g(x2, ..., x,,) over K., where g is a quadratic form in n - 1

variables with coefficients in K.

6.2 A Local-Global Principle

Hasse applied Hensel's padic methods to the problem of equivalence of quadratic

forms which resulted in a variant of the Hasse-Minkowski Theorem. Hasse's

Habilitation dissertation (1923) contained a proof of the following

Theorem 6.4 (Hasse-Minkowski)

Two nonsingular quadratic forms with rational coefncients are equivalent over the

field of rational numbers, if and only if they are equivalent over W and al1 the padic

fields Qp.

Roof The proof 1 give is fkom [6] pp.70. It is by induction on n, the number of

variables. If n = 1, f = ax2 -g = b*2 in Q, for all p 5 oo if and only if d b is a square

in Q, for all p 5 m which is true if and only if a/b is a square in Q (Theorem 1.1). If

n > 1, let r E Q be represented by f in al l Q,. Since f-g in all Qp, r is also

represented by g in all Qp. By the Hasse-Minkowski Theorem r b then represented

by f and g in Q. Applying Theorem 6.3

where fi and gl are quadratic forms in n - 1 variables. By Witt's Theorem, since f-g

in al1 Q,,, then f i -gi in all Qp. By the induction hypothesis, -gl in Q, so f-g in

This result was also printed in the Crelle journal of 1923 in the article Ober die

Aquiualenz quadratischer F m e n irn K&pr der rationalen Zahlen ( A h t the

equivalence of quadrutic f m s mer the field of rational numbers) [18]. Minkowski

had once again previously stated an equivalent result. See [13], pp.315, for a

statement of Minkowski's result.

The importance of the Hasse Principle is that both the representability of a number

by a given quadratic form and whether two quadratic forms are @valent can be

determined by local information. This is interest ing because questions of

equivalence, like representability of a rational nurnber over local fields, are

manageable. For instance, Sylvester's Law states that (Ref. 1201 pp. 42)

Theorem 8.5 (Sylvester's Law)

Let ri be the number of positive terms in the diagonalization of a form and rz be the

number of negative terms. Two quadratic forms over IR are equivalent if and only if

t hey have the same dimension n = r 1 + r2 and the same signature ri - r2.

Chapter 7

Failure of the Hasse Principle

The result for quadratic forms with rational coefficients certainly looks encouraging.

Unfortunately, a general equation having solutions in HP and all padic fields Qp, by

no means guarantees solutions in Q. That the Local-Global R-inclple fails for

certain curves was seen early on. The fîrst explicit counterexample, X" - 17 = ZP,

was offered by Reichardt in 1942. We will see in detail that A? - 17 = 2Y2 has

solutions everywhere locaily, but not globally in the proof of Theorem 7.4. Ernst S.

Selmer later gave a large number of Diophantine equations for which the Hasse

Principle fails, including the now famous 3P + 4Y3 + SZ3 = O. Selmer's example will

also be discussed at length.

7.1 A Simple Counterexample

First , we wiU present the considerably simpler counterexample to the Hasse

Principle. The equation

f lX ) = (Xl - 2) (P - 17)(X2 - 34) = O

has a root in Qp for all p 5 ab, but has no mot in Q.

Roof It is clear that f has a solution in IR and no solution in Q since the numbers

2, 17 and 34 are not squares of rational numbers. It remains to be shown that f = O

has a solution in all completions of Q.

Case 1 p # 2,l7

If either (or both) (5) = 1 or (F ) = 1, then a2 - 2 or a2 = I7(modp) is solvable

in mpZ. Thus there exists an a E WpZ such that fla) = O(modp). The

derivat ive 2u*O(mod p) since p + 2 and a+O(mod p), so solutions lift by Hemel's

multiplicativity of the Legendre symbois.

Case3 p = 2

Here, 17 = 1 (mod 8) so 17 is a 2-adic square by Corollary 1.2.

Hence, (p - 2)(* - 17)(* - 34) = O d o e ~ not have a solution in Q even though it

has a solution in al1 padic fields Q.

So we see that, in general, there is no analogue of Hasse's principle for cuves of

genus g 2 1 or even for general nonsingular cubic c w e s , although there are

interesting classes of Diophantine cubic equations for which it is known to hold. For

instance, we will see in Chapter 10 that Selmer worked out in 1953 sufficient criteria

for the Hasse Principle to hold for the cubic equation u3 + by3 + a3 + dw3 = 0,

(a,b,c,d E Z, x,y,z, w E Q). There is no known method to determine in a finite

number of steps whether a given rational cubic h a . a rational point. Moreover,

when there are rational solutions, there may not be infinitely many.

As we have seen in the previous section, the idea of looking modulo p for all primes

p is not sufficient for cubic c w e s . Let us take a closer look at the counterexample

due to Selmer (1951)

fl~,~,z) = 3 P + 4 P +5z3 (7-1)

where X, Y,Z E Q. Since the form is homogeneous we may look for X, Y.2 e Z.

Selmer's cuve has padic solutions for aii p, but no rational solution. Selmer proved

the global insolubility of 3 s + 4Y3 + Sz3 = O by considering factorization in a cubic

field Q(S). Selrner rewrites the equation as N x+6y = 5 83 = 3 (4 3 3 - For a

sketch of Selmer's argument see [7], pp.206. We will go about it in quite a dinerent

way. There is a theorern which asserts

Theorem 7.1

A cuve of genus 1 over IFp has a point defined over IFp and thus over Q,.

Roof See [IO], pp.119.

In our particular example, all primes p except for the primes p = 2,3 and 5 have

good reduction (since they do not divide the discriminant D = -2 123 " S 2 ) BY

Theorem 7.1, the form thus hss a zero in Qp for all p + 2,3,5. Note that for p = oo

the form clearly has a zero. For p = 2, the form (7.1) has the zero (dm, O, 1).

This zero is in Q2 since 3 is the inverse o l 3 modulo 8 so

-5/3 = (-5)(3) = -15 = l(m0d8) hence -513 is a Zadic cube. For p = 3, note that

4 5 is a 3-adic cube because 4 / 5 = (4)(-16) = lO(mod27) (since - 16 is the inverse

of 5) and 10 = 1 + 9 is a 3-adic cube. So (7.1) has the 3-aàic zero (O, 1, d a ) . For

p = 5 , 3 9 = Y3(mod5) has the solution X = 1 , Y = 2 . The derivative

f '(1,2,0) = 9 - lZ~O(mod5) so the solution to 3 p + 4]A + 5Z3 = O lifts to a padic

solution by Hemel's Lemma.

Now to show that 3 P + 4p + 5Z3 = O has no rational solutions, we will need the

following t heory.

Lemma 7.1

Let p3 = 1, p # 1 and Q(p) = K. Let the Galois group Gal(Q(p)/Q) = G. If

A,B E f l are distinct Galois conjugate points on the c w e u3 + v' + d = O where

u,v E Q, d E Z, then the iine joining A and B is rational and intersets the cwve in

a third point with rationd coefficients.

Roof

The Galois group G is generated by the automorphism O : p p2. Let A = (u1,vi)

and B = (uz,v2) be such that ou1 = u2 and ml = v2. The line joiaing A and B will

be denoted by L : v = mu + bo. The slope of L is m = ( V I - V I ) ( ~ 2 - u1) -

intersect bo = V I - mu* we get ab0 = v2 - mu2 = bo, thus bo E Q.

the third point of intersection. Substituting the line in the cuve

Applying O to the

Applying a to the

Let C = (u3,v3) be

0 = u3 + (mu + bo)3 + d = (m3 + l ) (u - u ~ ) ( u - UZ)(U - u t )

where u1,u2,ui are the zeros. Comparing the coefficients of u2 results in

ui +uz +u3 = (3m2bo)/(m3 + 1). Now ul +u2 and (3m2bo)/(m3 + 1) are rational thus

u3 is rational. Plugging back into the equation of the line, v3 is also rational and

hence C is a rational point. 0

Theorem 7.2

Let a,b,c > 1 be distinct integers such that d = abc is cube kee. Suppose there are

integers x,y,z not al l zero such tbat ax3 + by' + d = O. Thm there exists integers

U,V,Wwith W # O such that u+ v3 +dW3 = O.

Rw f ([IO], pp.86) Let p3 = 1,p + 1. Bear in mind that 1 + p + p2 = O. Write

C = ax3 + pby3 + p2cz) and = a r ' + p 2 b 9 + p c r '

p25 + Pq = 369 and p{ + p2q = 3 d

where y = - 3 9 .

The two points A = (e,pq,y) and B = (q,p2& y ) are solutions to the Selmer curve

U.' + +dl@ = O. The points A and B are Galois conjugates over Q, since 6 and q

are conjugates, pq and p2P are conjugates and y is rational. First observe that the

line L joining A and B will intersect U3 + Y3 + dW' = O in a third point C which is

not (1,-1,O). If it was, it would imply that a = b, but a, b, c are distinct integers.

Dehomogenizing with respect to W, we may apply Lemma 7.1. The line L is rational

and will intersect u3 + v3 + d3 = O in a third point with rational coordinates. Putting

C in homogeneous coordinates by clearing the denominators we get integers U, V, W

with W # O such that U3 + +dW3 = 0. 0

Lemma 7.2 The only rational point of X' + + 602) = O is (1, -1,O)

Am f (Sketch [IO], pp.86 )

Let u = UIW, v = V I K The Selmer c w e u3 + v3 = d is birationdy equivalent to

the Weierstrass curve 9 = x3 - î43 3dt under the transformation

for which the inverse transformation is

In our example, d = -60 so X' + r + 6 0 2 = 0 is birationally equivde~~t to

Y2 = X3 - 2433602. Let E(Q) denote the group of rational points of the eiiiptic curve.

The group E(QP)IZE(Q) for P = X - 2433602 is trivial. For a proof, see [IO], pp.53.

The group

(pi not necessarily distinct) and

Then E(Q)/2E(Q) = (Z/2Z)Hs where r is the rank and s is the number of 2-torsion

points. If E(Q)/ZE(Q) is trivial then E(Q) has no 2-torsion points (and the rank is

O). A cdculation with PARI with the function elltors shows that the c w e has no

ptorsion for p odd (it actually shows there is no 2-torsion as weli). So E(Q) is

trivial.

O

Theorem 7.3

3X' + 4Y' - 5Z3 = O has no rational solutions.

Roof By the two previous results, if 3 s + 4r + 5Z3 = O had a rational point then

there would exist x,y,z E Z, z # O such that x3 +y3 + 60z3 = 0, but by Lemma 7.2,

no such point exists.

O

We now turn our attention to Reichardt's equation; P - 17 = 2p.

Theorem 7.4

X - 17 = 2Y2 has padic solutions for dl primes p 5 00, but has no rational solution.

Roof Let flx Y) = p - 17 - 2F = O. Since the reduction of the curve has genus 1

for ail p except for p = 2 and p = 17, we need only take a closer look at what

happens to the curve at those primes. Observe that 17 = l(mod 16) so 17 a tadic

fourth power by the discussion foilowing Theorem 1.4. - 17 = 2Y2 thus has a

2-adic solution (m, O). Furthermore, X - 17 - 2Y2 = p - 2 p = O(mod 17)

o a2 = 2(mod 17) where a = XIY, Y z O. The congruence has a non-trivial solution

2 since ( 1 7 ) = 1. For example X = Y = 6. We can then lift this solution to a

17-adic solution by Hensel's Lemma since f16,6) = O(mod 17) where

@7aX(6,6) $O(rnod 17). Hence our equation has local solutions everywhere.

Now to show that A? - 17 = 2p has no global solutions, we will use some Algebraic

Number Theory. The following is not the argument used by Reichardt. Let

K = Q(Jlf). Suppose - 17 = 2Y2 has a rational solution. Set X = a/c in lowest

terms. The equation

where a,b and c are rational integers would then have an integral solution. Note

that if a prime p divides a and b this implies that p divides c. Similarly if p divides

both b and c it divides a. So gcd(a,c) = gcd(b,c) = gcd(a, b) = 1 . Both a and c are

odd, since the right hand side of (7.2) is even and both a and c cannot be even since

gcd(a, c ) = 1 . Since K has integral basis (1, (' + >, this makes a2+c2J17 and

2 2

Now note that a 2 + c 2 m and 17 2

a2 -' are relatively prime, since if a prime 2

ideal p # (m) divides both, then p divides a and c. This contradicts the tact that

gcd(a,c) = 1. If (m) divides both, then (,/if) divides a2 so (17) divides a4. By

equation (7.2), (17) divides

divides all of (7.2)). Now

a4- 17c4 = 4

b2 which is a contradiction (since (17) would then

Since both a2 f c 2 m b2 2 are algebraic integers, - is a rational integer. Hence b is 2

even, say b = 2bo. So

The class nurnber of K is 1 we thus have unique factorkation. In the field K, 2 splits

into

Since a2 fc2m 2

are relatively prime and conjugate to each other, each is divisible

by one of ( ' *2m ). ~e can thus mite

for some unit q. The left hand side and its norm are positive, as are (5*2m) ,

p2 and their n o m (N (5'2m) = 2). So q > 0 thus N(q) > O . A fundamental

unit in K is EO = 4 + m. Every unit in K is thus plus or minus some power of the

hindamental unit (Le. q = *(eo)"). If n oàd N((eO)") < O since N(Eo) = -1. SO

power even, thus r) a square and can be absorbeci in pz. Put q = 1,

Hence 4a2 = 5(u2 f 3 4 w + 17v2). This is not possible over QI, because

4a2 = 5 u 2 ( m d 1 7 ) - ( 2 ~ / u ) ~ = S(mod 17) and (*) = -1. O

7.4 Representation of Integers by Quaciratic For=

A question naturaliy mises: If a quadratic fmfi) &th integer coefficients has

a non-trivial zero in Zp for aM p 5 a, does Ax) have a non-trivial zero in Z? In

marked contrast to the question of solutions in rational numbers, the answer is NO.

This point is articulateci by J.W.S. Cassels, in the introduction to his survey article

Diophantine equations with special reference to elliptic curves: ''The field Q of

ratiaal numkr is already less recalcitrant (because less basic?) t h n the ring Z

of integers [. . .]"

Consider the equation x2 - 3 4 9 = -1. The solution (x,y) = (5/3,1/3) is in 5 for ail

p * 3. If p = 3, the equation has the solution (3/5,1/5) in Z3. Yet, x2 - 34y2 = -1

does not have a solution in Z. To see this, look at x2 - 3 4 3 = -1 over the quadratic

field K = Q(m). The fundamental unit in K is &a = 35 + 6m where the norm of

ao is 1. Therefore, -1 is not the nom of an algebraic integer (i-e. of a unit in OK).

We thus have no nice equivalent to the Hasse-Minkowski Theorem for the

representation of an integer by a quadratic form with integer coefficients, although

many results in this area still rely heavily on the Local-Global Rinciple. A striking

example of such a result due to Conway and Schneeberger (1993) is the following

theorem [3]

Theorem 7.5 (The Fifteen Theorem)

If a positivedefinite quadratic form having integer matrix represents every positive

integer up to 15 then it represents every positive integer.

The criterion is indeed necessary since it is easily seen that a2 + 2b2 + Sc2 + 5d2

represents the integers O through 14, but it does not represent 15 because

a2 + 2b2 = O(mod 5) e (* ) = 1 which is false. The original proof of the Fifteen

Theorem was never published, but the recent proof by Manjui Bhargava does rely

on some Local-Global concepts. For more on this fascinating subject, refer to [12]

and [3].

Chapter 8

Finite Extensions of Q,

Up to this point, Local Field meant the padic field Qp or lk and Globd Field

referred to the field of rationd numbers Q. However, these are the simplest

occurrences of Local and Globai Fields. In general a Local Field is a finite, algebraic

extension of IR, Qp or the field of forma1 power series over some finite field. A

Globai Field is a hi te , algebraic extension of Q (Le. an algebraic number field) or

the field of algebraic functions in one variable over a finite field. We saw that the

behaviour of a problem in Q can sometimes be deduced hom it's behaviour in Qp

and W. In this chapter, we lay the foundation necessary to generalize this idea to

finite algebraic extensions of Qp.

8.1 The p-adic Fields

Let L be a local field of degree n over Qp. i t can be shown that there exists a unique

absolute value 1 IL on L which extends 1 1, on Qp given by 1331 :

Now let K be am

I*IL = ( I I v U Q ~ ( ~ ) I ~ ) lh (X E

arbitrary algebraic number field. A f i t e prime ideal p induces a

non-archimedean absolute value 1 jp on K which restricts to the usud padic absolute

value if pp. The completion of the algebraic number field K with respect to 1 1, is a

local field (proof see [I5], pp.55) c d e d the padic number field. This field is denoted

Kp. Elements of Kp are cded p-adic numbers. Pictorially,

By the discussion above, the padic absolute value 1 lp of Qp is extended to a unique

absolute value 1 1, d e h d by:

where np = [Kp : QJ

If cr is an embedding a : K 4 @, it is called an intinite prime and it induces an

archimedean absolute value on K (given by laIo = laal). An archimedean absolute

value is an extension of the archimedean absolute value 1 1, on Q. The

comesponding cornpletion Kp is W or @. Hilbert was the fiist to introduce the formal

concept of innnite primes [13], pp.239. Let us laok at an explicit example. Take

K = ~ ( a ) . The Galois group is Gal(K@) = { l , ~ ) where a : f i + - f i . So

1 1 + a l ~ = l + n and ~ l + n l , = n - l . The prime 7 splits in K into

(3 + n)(3 - f i ) = p,p,'. Calculating the various absolute values we find

13 + n l p , = 117, P - n l p , = 1, P + alP,< = 1, and P - f i l p , ? = l n .

Local fields have many of the same properties as op. If 1 lp is a non-archimedean

absolute value, the subset (x e Kp : blp 5 1) forms the ring of p-adic integers

denoted Op and the group of units is OP = (x E Kp : BIp = 1). Techniques which

involve proving theorems about the ground field K by exploring al l its embeddings in

its completions Kp and W (or @) are called Local methods.

8.2 Hasse-Minkowski for Algebraic Number Fields

Using Takagi's work on class field theory and Hilbert's ideas, Hasse fuily solved

Hilbert's eleventh problem by extending his Local-Global A-inciple to algebraic

number fields in 1924. The problem of representability and equivalence of quadratic

forms for an arbitrary nuniber field was thus completely solved. Instead of looking

for rational solutions in the usual sense of the word we may look for solutions in a

general algebraic number field. The ring of integers of K (i.e. the ring of elements of

K integral over Z) will be denoted OK. The more general Hasse-Minkowski Theorem

then reads as follows;

Theorem 8.1

Let j ( ~ i , . . . , x ~ ) be a quadratic form with coefficients in some algebraic number field

K. Suppose f l x !, ..., x.) = O has a non-trivial solution in aU p-adic fields Kp for ad

finite prime ide& p of OK and in all the completions corresponding to the

archimedean absolute values. Then f = O has a non-trivial solution in K.

We will see in Chapter 10 that the prwf of Theorem 8.1 follows easily from a

beautiful theorem of Hasse's known as the N o m Theorem. Most Local-Global

results concerning the relationship between Q and the padic fields Qp generalize to

algebraic number fields and the corresponding local fields, iike the Hasse-Minkowski

Theorem. The proofs are often more sophisticated.

The objective of Local Class Field Theory is to describe d abelian extensions of

Local Fields. Unlike IR, Qp possesses many such extensions. The problem of

c lasseng the abelian extensions of Q is known as the Kronecker-Weber Theorem.

A famous theorem of Kronecker and Weber states that: Every abelian extension of

Q is contained in a cgdotomic extension. This theorem can be proved from the

corresponding theorem for the local fields Qp, [9] pp.151, although historicaily, the

local result was proved using the global theorem.

Chapter 9

The Product Formula and Quadratic Reciprocit y

Euler (1707-1783) was led to the discovery of the celebrated law of quadratic

reciprocity in the years 1744-46 after examining many individual cases of the

solutions of the congruences x2 = p(modq) and x2 - q(modp). Euler noticed that if p

and q are both primes of the form 4k+3, then only one of the congruences is

solvable. On the other hand, if one or both p and q are of the form 4k + 1, then both

or neither congruences are solvable. Legendre independently rediscovered this result

in 1785. Using the Legendre symbol the quadratic reciprocity law then becomes the

familiar

As Weil mentions in a letter to Simone Weil [32], the quadratic reciprocity is a

startling result because it means that the prime numbers p for which m is a

quadratic residue are precisely the ones that belong to a certain arithmetic

progression moduio 4n1. For instance 1 = (*) = (31) = (*) = ... This is

quite an astounding statement in light of the fact that the distribution of primes in

arithmetic progression seems to be random. Legendre attempted to prove

reciprocity, but his proof was flawed in six of the eight cases.

Gauss rediscovered quadratic reciprocity when he was just eighteen years of age. He

declared it to be Wlie Gdden nieorena of Number Ine@. He gave the £ùst

complete proof after one year of intense work in 1795. "It tdured me for a whde

gear" said Gauss "and eluded m y most strenuuus efforts be fme finallp 1 pt the

proo f expIained [...ln. A bitter animosity between Legendre and Gauss was sparked

when Gauss exposed his proof in his 1801 text Disquisiticmes Arithmetzcae

attributing the law to himself, making only a passing remark about Legendre's

contribution. Gauss went back to the law of quadratic reciprocity nwnerous times

during his illustrious career, proving it in eight drastically different ways. His

ultimate goal was to £ind an approach which would generalize to higher powers.

This QU& led to the introduction of Cyclotomy and Gaussian integers by Gauss and

eventualiy was the motivation behind the development of the Theory of Algebraic

Numbers.

Gauss' prooh can be found in many Number Theory books. Our goal will be to

prove the quadratic reciprmity in Local-Global fashion. This is accomplished by

k t proving Hilbert's Product Formula, for a,b E Q, n (a, b)Q = 1 and showing P

P.9

that it is equivalent to quadratic reciprocity. The source of al1 such product

formulas is the padic product formula

Theorem 9.1

For any nonzero x E Q,

Roof Let x E 2. We can write x = f n p " ~ ( ~ ) . The sign of x is -a- . Thus F kl.0

general result for a rational x follows. a

Note that in Theorem 9.1, Lxl, = 1 for h a r t a.U primep in Q.

9.1 Euler's Criterion

Proving Hiibert's Product Formula will require us to become fhdiar with some

preliminary notions.

Theorem 8.2 (Euleri Criterion)

A padic unit u E Zi is a square if and only if uel)n = I(modp)

Roof [el Let p be an odd prime. There exista a 6 E Z such that CFp-' = I(modp),

C*')R = -l(modp) and {0,C,C2, ...,{PI> is a complete residue system. For some

natural number k where O ( k 5 p - 1 we may write u - Ck(modp) which is hue if

and only if u * ~ ) ~ = (-l)k(modp). Suppose k = 2m (Le. - l(modp)) and let

f l x ) = x2 - u. Thus Aem) = 5' - u - O(modp) and the derivat ive

f (4") = 24"+O(modp) since p # 2. We can apply Hensel's Lemma to find z E Z,,

such thatAz) = 9 - u = O. Thus u is a square.

[cl Suppose u = $ for some z E Z,. We have z = tm(modp) for some m

Recall that in Chapter 1 we saw that if p is an odd prime and u a padic unit, then

it is necessary and sunicient for u to be a square that ( f ) = 1. In conjunction

wit h Euler's criterion, this result becornes

Lemma 9.1

Let p be an odd prime and let a be an integer such that p X a. Then

(p) = 0@-~'L(m0dp)

Euler's Criterion is extremely useful in pmving various properties of the Legendre

symbol. The following are easy consequences of Euler's criterion.

Corollary 9.1 Let p be an odd prime and let a and b be integers such that p a,

p 1 b. Then

The &st complementary Law of quadratic reciprocity, which is a consequence of

Euler's Criterion, was a result already known by Pierre de Fermat. Simply stated

the law says that the only prime divisors of x2 + 1 are 2 and primes of the form

4k+ 1. The second law states that 2 is a square in F, if and only i f p = 8 k f 1.

Corollary 9.2 (Complementary Law 1) Let p be an odd prime, then

($1 = (-1)WIQ = 1 ifp = l(mod4)

-1 i f p = 3(mod4)

Rw f Applying Euler's Criterion to -1, ($- ) = 1 e (-l)@lIn = 1 (modp) o

O = (p- 1)/2(mod2) o p - I(mod4). Note that clearly, i fp = 2 then ($) = 1

0

Corollary 9.3 (Complementary Law 2) Let p be an odd prime, then

f (5) = ( + Y - M = 1 ifp*fl(modS) -1 ifp =î3(mod8)

Roof From [24], pp.7. First observe that if 2 has x as a square root x in an

algebraic closure of Fp then 2 = x2(modp) o (5) = 2*lIn = xP' (moâp). Let 5. be

a primitive 8" mot of unity in an algebraic closure of iFp. We have that c4 = -1 and

9.2 Proof of the Product Formula

We are now in a position to prove Hilbert's product formula.

Theorem 9.3 (The Product Formula)

Let a, b E Q. Then

Roof The following proof is kom [24] pp.23.

The properties of the Hilbert symbol allows us to reduce the proof of the general

product formula to three special cases a = b = - 1 , a = - 1 , b = 1 ( 1 a prime) and a = 1,

b = Ir (1 and 11 distinct primes). The following Hilbert symbols have been calculateci

using Theorem 4.1.

Case 1. a = b = -1. For p * 2 . q vp(-1) = O so we have that (- l , - l )qp = 1. One

has (-l ,- l)q, = - 1 and, since a and b are both negative, (a, b)n = -1. Hence

Case 2 a = -1, b = I a prime nurnber.

If I = 2 and p + 2 , a, then v , ( - l )=vp(2) = O so (-1,2)qP = 1 . Moreover, since

9 + x2 = 2 9 has the non-trivial solution ( 1 1 1 = , y , we get

(-1,2)n = 1 = (-l,2)Q, = 1. Hencen (-1,2)$ = 1. P**

I f 1 # 2 and p = 2, v2(-1) = vI(i) = O , so ( - 1 , l ) ~ ~ = (-l)(I-I)% I f 1 O 2, p ;+ 2 where

p s 1, we have (-l,oQp = 1. Now if p = i * 2, then v2(-1) = O and ~ ( l ) = 1 , so

(-1, r ) ~ , = (+) = (-1)('-ly2. The product n (-l,i)pp is thus equd to 1. P*rn

Case 3 a = 1, b = f f . I f 1 = 11, by properties of the Hilbert symbol we £ind that

( 1 = ( 1 , ) = ( 1 - l ) ( , ( . Hence (1,I)Qp = (-l,oQp for al l p. This was dealt

with in Case 2. So assume that 1 + 1. I f 1' = 2 and p # 2,l then vp(l) = vP(l1) = O

thus (1,2)% = 1. I f i' = 2 and p = 2, (1,2)q, = (-1)(12-'@. I f 11 = 2 and p = 1 # 2,

vl(0 = 1 and vr(2) = 0 so ( & 2 ) ~ , = (+) = ( - ~ ) ( l ' - ~ ~ . If i # /', 1, l'p # 2, we get

( 1 1 ) = 1 - For p = 2 we obtain (1, P)Q, = (-1)(1-1)(1'-i)'4 since v2(l) = v2(11) = O.

Finally, since v1(l1) = 1 = vif (l) this results in (1, = ($1 and (l,l!)qt =

W e thus obtain n (1, 1' ) = (- 1)('2-1)'4 (1) ( ) = 1. The general result follows. PP'

QP

O

9.3 Quadratic Reciprocity

A direct consequence of the prduct formula is that for m y quadratic form f over Q,

the number of primes p, including eo, for which f has no zero over Q p is always even.

As previously mentioned, the product formula is equivalent to the classic law of

quadratic reciprocity. From the proof of the product formula, we see that in

general, if p,q, i are distinct primes not equal to 2, we have (p, qIp, = 1. I f i = 2,

then @ , q ) ~ , = (-l)*i)(q-1v4 and @,q)Qp = (%) . The product formula then

becornes

The product formula n ( ~ , b ) ~ ~ = 1 is quite useful since if ne know all but one P."

value of the Hilbert symbol we can earrily determine the missing value. In particular

Lemma 9.2

If a quadratic form with rational coefficients f in three variables represents zero in

all fields Q, for all p < except possibly for Qq for some prime q, then f &O

represents zero in Q,.

For instance Borevich and Shafarevich prove the HaaseMinkowski Theorem in their

text (61 noting that one never needs to verify the solvability at p = 2 in order to

deduce global solvability.

9.4 Hasseys Product Formula

There is an analogue of the Product Formula for algebraic number fields. Let K be

a finite extension of Q and let a be an element of P. Similarly to Theorem 9.1 we

find that

where p goes through all fînite and infinite primes- of K. Hilbert had defined the

norm residue symbol for quadratic and Kummer extensions of Q, but had verifîed

the product formula only for special cases ([l3], pp.262-265). Hasse proved Hilbert's

product formula and then generaiized the norm residue symbol to abelian

extensions. To accomplish this, H a s e worked in p-adic fields using the adapted

Hilbert norm residue. Given a field K. a prime ideal p of K and v ,p E OK such that

p is not a square in OK we can define the quadratic Hiibert norm residue

To be consistent with our prior notation, we will denote this nom residue as (v, u ) ~ ~ .

There is a correspondhg nom residue aymbol for the infinite primes p,. If K has r

real embeddings a, ... or, then for each real embedding we associate an infinite prime

PQ, and

As in the case K = Q, we see that ( v , u ) ~ , = 1 if v is the nom of an element in

K, (fi). Hasse then proved the general prduct formula

taken over all primes p of the field K. To work comfortably in these fields, Hasse

had to prove theorems about padic fields which were analogues of Takagi's results

in class field theory. These results paved the way for Local Class Field Theory.

Hilbert had managed to prove the above product formula only for a few special

cases, such as when K is a field with class number 1 or 2 and with less than two

classes or when K is an imaginary extension with an odd class nurnber ([13],

pp.238-241). In these cases, Hilbert constructed an extension L of K he cailed a class

field. He t hen proved various conjectures concer ning t hese special fields.

Chapter 10

The Hasse Norm Theorem

10.1 The Hilbert Norm Theorem

In part III of his report Zahlbericht on algebraic number theory to the Deutache

Mathemcrtiker Ve~einigung (German Mathematical Society), Hilbert r e h u l a t e d a

theorem of Gauss ([Ml pp.225)

Theorem 10.1 (Hilbert Norm Theorem)

Let b be a square £ree integer and a a nonzero integer. If ( ~ ~ 6 ) ~ ~ = 1 for all primes

p 5 a, then a = N(x) is solvable in the field Q(6). That is to S a y a is a global norm

kom Q(G) if and only if it is a local nom everywhere.

We saw in Chapter 4 that z2 - ar2 - by2 = O has a solution in Qp for all p 5 a, if and

only if a is the norm of an element in %(fi). Since a is a norm in Q(6) if and

only if z2 - ax2 - by2 = O has a solution in Q, we see that the Hilbert Norm theorem

is completely equivalent to the Hasae-Minkowski Theorem for rational quadratic

forms in three variables.

10.2 The Hasse Norm Theorem for Cyclic Extensions

Let K be a number field. In 1924 Hasse proved that v is the norm of an elemant in

K ( F ) if and only if v is a local norm everywhere. Hasse later (1930) extended the

Norm Theorem from quadratic extensions of K to al1 cyclic extensions of K. He thus

obtained the celebrated Hasse Norm Theorem. The following is the general Norm

Theorem that Hilbert had proved only for special cases.

Theorem 10.2 (Hasse Norm Theorem )

Let LIK be a cyclic extension of number fields. An element a in K" is the norm of

an element in Lx (Le. a E N(LX)) if and only if a is the norm of an element in the

correaponding local extensions L d K p for al1 prime divisors p in K, including infinite

primes (i.e. a E N ~ ~ , K ~ (L$)v~).

Roof. See [lg], Theorem 4.5, p:156. Note: Analogues of the product formula seen

in Chapter 8 play a crucial role in the proof of the Hasse Norm Theorem.

In Theorem 10.2, by cyclic extension we mean a Galois extension with cyclic Galois

group. In the context of ration& the Hasse Norm Theorem reads as follows: Let

HQ be a qclic extension. A nmzero rational numhr n is a norm from K if and

a l y if it is a local n m at eue* prime of K induding infinite primes. In

particular, for L = ~ ( n ) a degree two cyclic extension of Q, the Hasse Norm

Theorem reduces to the Hilbert Norm Theorem. It has been observed that one can

leave out one particular prime, in the application of the Hasse Norm Theorem (Ref.

~91)-

Theorem 10.3

If L/K is a cyclic extension of global fields and a E P is a local norm at all primes of

K with the possible exception of one particular prime, then a is a local nom at that

prime as well.

Rwf. See [19] pp.190. Note: The proof follows hom the product formula for the

local Artin maps (p: 189 of [NI).

10.3 Abelian Extensions

fiasse had a t first conjectureci that his Nom Theorem for cyclic extensions would

hold for abelian extensions. Hasse found the first counterexample to this conjecture

himself. The biquadratic field K = Q ( , / x , n) has the property that (3,K)p P = 1

for all p E Q, but 3 is not a nom in K. Another well-known counterexample is

L = Q(m, Jlf ). The extension L is Galois over Q with non-cyclic Galois group

2/22 x 2/22 = (1,6,r,&) = G, where

The norm of an element of a is

where a E G. Hence the nom of an element a = a + bm + cm + d m from

Q to L is NUQ(a) = a6(a)r(a)Ss(a). I t can be shown that - 1 is not a norm of any

a E L. We will now show that -1 is a local nom everywhere, Le. in each

completions LI. If p=ao, Lm = P and -1 is a norm in L If p z 13,17. The

extension Lp is an unramified extension of Q where ILp : QJ 5 2. By the following

result of local claas field theory

Theorem 10.4

Let L, be an u n r d e d extension of Qp of de- f over Q,. Let fl = pmu E Q;,

with u E U,,m E 2. Then fl E NLPmp(L;) if and only if f 1 m. In particular, every unit

of Q is the norm of a unit of L,.

The number -1 is a n o m in L, for al1 p + 13,17 since -1 is a unit of Q, p # 13,17.

I f p = 13, Li3 = ~,,(m, m) = Q13(m) since 17 = 4(mod 13) Le. E Q13 and

-1 is the n o m of a = 3-m E L I 3 . Similarly, 13' r (4)8 = l(modl7) thus 13 is a 2

square in Qi7 thus Q,,(n,m) = Q 1 7 ( m ) and -1 is the norm of

4 + f l E Q 17 (Ji7 ). We then see that ali local conditions are satisfied.

10.4 Some Applications

Using the Hasse N o m Theorem for cubic cyclic extensions of an algebraic number

field K, Selmer proved the foilowing theorem in his 1953 article Sujficient

mgmence conditions for the existence of rational points on certain n<bic

sur faces

Theorem 10.5

Given O + a, b, c, d E Z cube-free integers such that ad = bc then

ar3 + by3 + cz3 + &v3 = 0 has non-trivial solutions in Q if and only if it has

non-trivial solutions in Qp for all p 5

Rm f (Idea of Selmer's proof). Selmer considers the cubic equation

x3 +n?v) = n(u3 ++a, with integer, cubekee m aad n (but not necessarily

(m,n) = 1). Let K be an algebraic number field. Selmer boils down the question,

by an argument about the ide& of the field, to an application of Hasse's Norm

Theorem where K(p) is hi8 ground field (p a complex cube mot of unity) and

R = K(p)(m ln) is the cyclic extension over K(p). For more detail, see [25].

Now recall the statement of the generalized Hasse-Minkowski Theorem [13] pp.263,

Theorem

Let A x 1, .. ., xn) be a quadratic form with coefficients in some algebraic n u m k field

K. Suppose j(x ,, ..., x,) = O has a non-trivial solution in all p-adic fields Kp for al1

finite prime ide& p of OK and in all the completions corresponding to the

archimedean absolute values. Then f = O has a non-trivial solution in K.

A-oo f (n = 2,3) The two variable case n = 2 is a direct consequence of the

theorem: a E K is a square in K which is true if and only if a is a square in Kp for all

p and in each r d embeddings; the proof of which is similar to that of Theorem 1.1.

The 3 variable case n = 3 is a particular case of the Hasse Norm Theorem since

A x ) = d + 6 9 + cz2 = O haa a non-trivial solution if and only if -ab is a norm of an

element of ~(j-bc). Moreover, f l x ) = O haa non-trivial solutions in all Kp and in IR

implies that -ab is a local norm of an element in K,( JZ) with respect to Kp. The

general case is obtained in the ssme manner as the previous case for Q (see the proof

of Theorem 5.4).

There is a finite set of primes which must be taken into consideration when applying

the Hasse Nom Theorem. Using the Hasse Norm Theoram, Voncenzo Acciaro

constructed an algorithm in order to m e r the following question: Let L = Q(a) be

a cyclic extension of the rationals of prime degree q and let a E Qx. Does the

equation

NJ&) = a

admit any solution in L? (Le. 1s a the norm of some element in L. It is worth

noting that we are not asking how to h d such a 1, but only whether a solution

exists. Ses Voncenzo Acciaro's Doctoral thesis for a detailed account see [l] Chapter

4.) Although the Nom Theorem gives a satisfktory criterion for establishing

whether or not a given element of K is the norm of an element kom the cyclic

extension L of K, it does not help in identifying what integers of K are norms of

integers of L. In particular, there is no systematic way to determine which

quadratic extensions have a unit of nom -1. Refer to the discussion about the

representation of integers by quadratic forms in Section 7.4.

Chapter 11

Measuring the Failure

Even when the Hasse Principle d m not hold, there some+imes remains a close

interaction between the local and the global. We have already seen that the Hasse

Principle fails for

3x3 +4P +SZ3 = O

It has been conjectured that although the Hasse Principle Eails for eIliptic curves, it does

not fail that badly, that is the measure of the obstruction to the Hasse Pirinciple is

finite. Since studying the extent of the obstruction to the Hasse Principle is an active

area of reseazch in Number Theory, this chapter aims to give a brief glimpse at the rich

theory involved. Hasse's principle may be expressed cohorn~logically~ This formulation,

is essential in measuring the mure of the Local-Global Principles. We thus begin by

getting reacquainted with some definitions and theory kom the cohomology of groups

and Galois cohomology. The content of this chapter relies heavily on the references

[IO], 1261 and some useful notes on the subject mitten up by David S. Dummit.

11.1 First Cohomology Group

Let G be a finite group and let A be a Gmodule written additively (Le. A is an abelian

group on which G acts on the left). The action is written o(a) where a E G and a E A.

The group G acts on itself by ~ ( r ) = mu-' where a,r E G. A 1-cayde is a map

which satisfies the cocycle identity

for all o,r E G. If f and g are 1-cocycles then f + g is also a 1-cocycle where

(f+ g)(a) =fia) + g(a). The 1-cocycles thus form a group denoted Z1 (G,A). The group

G acts trivially on A if and only if o(a) = a for aU o E G and all a E A. I f f E Z 1 ( G , ~ )

and G acts trivially on A, then a, = a* + nar = au + ar which is true if aiid only if f E

Hom(G,A). The map f is called a I - o o b o u h ~ if and only if there exists aa element

b E A such that

for all a E G. A coboundary is a cocycle because

a, = m(b) - b

= m(b) - o (b ) + a(b) - b

= a(r(b) - b ) + o(b) - b

= Car + aa

The coboundaries in fact form a subgroup of Z1(G,A) since the surn of two coboundaries

is again a coboundary. The group of coboundaries is denoted B1(G,A). Note that if G

acts trivially on A then B' (G, A) = {O) . The quotient group Z1(G,A)/B ' (G,A) is c d e d

the first cohomology group and is denoted by H' (G, A). If G acts trivially on A

The cohomology group H"(G,A) is the set of elements of A fixed by G,

{a E A laa = a V a E G), denoted There are higher order cohomology groups

ff (G,A), but we will not need them. If G is a topological group and A is a topological

A-module (Le. A is a topological group and G acts continuously on A) then the

continuous cohomology is defined as above except that the cocycles are continuous

hinctions (as are the coboundatie~).

11.2 Hasse Principle

Given an elliptic c w e E defined over Q, we can look at E over g, over which it

acquires points. Write

G = GuI(Q/Q)

and let

Gp = G 4 Q p / Q p )

be the decomposition group of the prime p. We can view Gp as a subgroup of G. The

embedding of fields

0 - op induces the embedding of groups

GP - G

The diagram lwks like

Let E(Q) be the group of rational points of E. The elliptic curve E will be identified

with its group of algebraic points which will be denoted by

E = E(Q)

By restricting all cocycles in Z'(G,E) to Gp we get a canonical group homomorphism

H1(G,E) - f f l (Gp,E)

called a localization. If P is a point on the cuve E it gives rise to a coboundary

o -. a P - P E Bi(G,E) c B1(Gp,E). The map

ECO) - E(QJ

induces the sequence

where jp is the localization map. If a cocycle f is a coboundary we say f is trivial (in the

trivial class). We wodd like to answer the question: If a cocycle f when restricted to

Gp is an element of B1 (Gp,E) for all p, is f an element of B'(G, E)? In other words, if f is

locally trivial for al1 p (E has a local point) is f globally trivial (E has a global point).

11.3 Principal Homogeneous Spaces

Now the elliptic curves over Q which become isomorphic to E over 0 are cded twists of

E. To each element of H1(G,E), we can associate a certain twist of E called a f incipl

Homogeneous S'ce. The concept of Principal Homogeneous Spaces was introduced by

Weil [IO]. The following two definitions are taken kom [26].

Definition 11.1

Let E/Q be an elliptic c w e . A principal homogeneous space for E/Q consists of a pair

(C,p), where C/Q is a smwth cuve and a morphism

p : C x E + C

d e h d over Q by &O, P ) = po + P with the following properties:

i) p o + O = p o for allpo EC.

ii) ( p o + P ) + Q = p o + ( P + Q ) for allpo E C, P,Q E E.

iii) For all po,q E C there is a unique P E E satisfying po + P = q.

Definition 11.2

Two homogeneous spaces C and V for EIQ are equivalent if there is an isomorphiam 9 :

C-r 27 which preserves the action of E on C Le. such that for all po E C and P E E we

have 0(po + P) = 8(po) + P.

Note that E is a principal homogeneous space for E and that any other principal

homogeneous space is in the same class as E, that is in the trivial class, if and only if it

has a point in Q.

Theorem 11.1

Let E/Q be an elliptic c w e . There is a natural bijection

Set of equivalence classes of

H1(G,E) * Principal Homogeneous Spaces for E/Q which have rational points in

defined as follows:

Let C/Q be a homogeneous space and choose a point po E C. Then

{O + u p o -PO> -, WQ> where { ) indicates an equivalence clws and op0 - po means (iiij in definition 11.1. For

a prwf see [26], pp.291.

11.4 The Tate-Shafarevich Group

The group H1(G, E) is called the Weil-Chatelet group which we will denote WC. The

trivial class of WC corresponds to the dass of Principal Homogeneous Spaces having a

rational point. So the problem of checking the triviality of the Weil-Chatelet group is

equivalent to answering the Diophantine equation of whether a given c w e has a

rational point. We have the exact sequence

0 + E(Q)/mE(Q) H1(G, Em) [H1 (G, El 1, + 0

where En is the group of elements of E ( 0 ) of order exactly m and [...lm denotes the

subgroup of elements of E(Q) of order dividing m. The principal homogeneous spaces

come into the computation of the weak Mordell-Weil group E(Q)/mE(Q). This problem

may be reduced to determining whether each associateci homogeneous space has a

rationalpoint. One can either explicitly find such a point or show that there is some

local completion of Q for which it has no point. The difnculty is that there are

homogeneous spaces that have points locdy everywhere, yet have no rational point,

that is the Hasse Principle fi. So we are interested in the elements of

HI (G, [an) = Sm, the m-Selma group, which are images of E(Q)/mE(Q). Since the

sequence is exact, these are precisely the elements of the kernel of the map

Being in the kernel of the latter map meana that there is a point on C defineci over Q.

Let the Russian letter iii (sha) denote the elements of WC for which there is a point on

C everywhere locdy (elements of WC for which f restricted to Gp is an elernent of

BI (Gp, E) for aii p, Le. having a gp point for ail p). These elements t o m a group called

the Tate-Sbfarevich Group It counts the number of equivalence classes of

homogeneous spaces of C which have points in all local fields. The group L ü is the

intersection of the kernels of all localization maps j,. We get the exact sequence

The Tate-Shafarevich group then measures the obstruction to the Local-Global

Prhciple for the eUiptic curve E, that is, it measures the gap between rational

solvability and everywhere local solvability. It was conjectured in the 60's that the

TateShafarevich group is h i t e . The conjecture rernains unproved. Establishing the

finiteness of the Tate-Shafarevich group is tantamount to proving that the Hasse

Principle holds up to a h i t e obstruction for c w e s of genus 1. The problem is that

there are no algorithms for computing iii for a curve kom the initial data. Rubin with

help of some idem by Francsico Thaine gave the first concrete examples of elliptic

curves over number fields with a TateShafarevich poup proved to be finite [22]. It is

now known that if E(Q) is finite then 1 üi 1 < 00. For more on the conjectured finiteness

theorems concerning Tate-Shafarevich look at Ju. 1. Man$ Cyclotomic fields and

moduLar curves, Russian Mathematical Surveys 26 (lWl), 7-78.

Bibliography

Vincenzo Acciaro, Local global methods in number theory, thesis (Ph.D.), Carieton University, 1995, Ottawa: National Library of Canada, 2 microfiches-

J. Ax and S. Kochen. Dioplmntine problems auer local fields 1. Amer. J. Math., 87 (1965), 605-630

M. Bhargava, On the Cmwa1~-Schneekrger Rfteen Theorem, Contemporary Mathematics, 272 (2000), 2ô-37.

Jean-Paul Bézivin and Philippe Robba, A new p-adic method for proving irrationality and trnnscendence results, Ann. Math., II. Ser. 129 (1989), 151-160.

B. J. Birch, Homogeneozls forms of odd degree in a large wunaber of variables. Mathematika, 4, 1957, 102-105.

Z.I. Borevich and I.R. Shafarevich, Number Theory, Academic Press, New York, 1966.

J.W.S. Cassels, Diophantine equations with specinl re ference to elliptic curves, Jour. London Math. Soc. 41 (1966), 193-291.

J.W.S. Cassels, Rational Quadratic F m s , Academic Press, New York, 1978.

J. W.S. Cassels, Local Fields, London Mathematical Society S tudent Texts, Vo1.3 (Cambridge University Press), 1986.

[IO] J. W.S. Cassels, Lectures on Eltiptic Cumes, London Mathematical Sociew: Student Texts 24, Cambridge University Press, 1991.

[Il] J.W.S. Cassels ancl A. Frolich, Algebruic Number l l e o i y , Academic Press, London and New York, 1967.

112) J.H. Conway, Universal Quadratic F m s and the Fifieen Theorem, Contemporary Mathematics, 272 (2000), 23-26.

[13] J. Dieudonné, Abrégé d'histoire des mathématiques 1, Hermann, Paris, 1978.

Giinter Frei, H m Hasse was led to the Theary of Quadratic F m s , the Local-Global AG'nciple, the Theary O J the Nàrnt Residue Syrnbol, the Reciprocity Laws, and to Class Reld Theary, Article for the Proceedings of the Class Field Theory Conference in Tokyo.

Lamy J. Goldstein, Analytic Number Theory, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, 1971.

Fernando Q. Gouvêa, padic numbers; An Introduction. Springer-Verlag, second edition, 1997.

Helmut Hasse, Uber die Darstellbarkeit von Zahlen durch quadratische Formen im K-er der rationalen Zahlen, J . Reine Angew. Math. 152 (1923), 129-148.

Helrnut Hasse, Uber die Aquivalenz quadratischer F m e n i m Korper der rationalen Zahlen, J. Reine Angew. Math. 152 (1923), 205-224.

G. J. Janusz, Algebraic Number Fields, Acadeniic Press, New York, 1975.

T-Y. Lam, The AlgeGraic The- of Qundratic Fmrns: W.A. Benjamin Inc., Massachusetts, 1978.

Heinric h Wolfgang Leopoldt and Pe ter Roquette, Mathematische Abhandlungen, 3 vols., Berlin, New York, Walter de Gruyter, 1975.

Barry blazur, On the Passage from local to global in number thetny, Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. (N.S.), 29 (1993), no.l,14-50.

L. J. Mordell, Diophantine Equations, Academic Press, London and Xew York, 1969.

Jean- Pierre Serre, A course in Arithmetic, S pringer-Verlag, New York, 1973.

Ernst S. Selmer, Su f ficient congruence conditions for the existence of rational points on certain cubic sur faces, Math. Scan.1,113-119,1953.

Joseph H. Silverman, me arithmetic of ellz'ptic curves, Graduate Text in Mathematics 106, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1986.

T. Springer, Some properties of cubic forms over fields with discrete vaiuation. Koninkl. Nederl. Akad. van Wetenss, 17 (1955), pp.512-516

G. Te janian, Un contre-exemple 8 une conjecture d7Artzn, Comptes Riendus Acad. Sci. Paris, 262 (1966), 612.

Peter Ullrich, Der Henselsche Beweisversuch fW. die Danszendenz von e Tagungsband der Tagung der Fachsektion Geschichte der Mathematik der DMV in Rummelsberg bei Aitdorf/Nünberg (Juni 1995).

Pe ter Ullrich, On the &gin of padic analyszs, Proceedings of the 2" Gauss Symposium. Conference A: Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (Munich, 19931, 459-473, Sympos. Gaussiana, de Gruyter, Berlin, 1995.

Pe ter Ullrich, The genesis of Hensel's padic numbers. Charlemagne and his heritage; 1200 years of civilization and science in Europe, Vo1.2 (Aachen, 1995), 163-178, Brepols, Turnhout, 1998.

André Weil, Oeuvres Scientifique, collec ted papers Vol 1, p:244255, Springer- Verlag, 1980-

Edwin Weiss, Algelnnic Number Theary, McGraw Hill Book Company, New York, 1963.