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Can there be two different elliptic curve $E_{1}$ and $E_{2}$ and two different rational points $P_{1}$ and $P_{2}$ such that $P_{1}, P_{2} \in E_{1}$ and $P_{1}, P_{2} \in E_{2}$ but $P_{1} + P_{2}$ is a different point for $E_{1}$ and $E_{2}$. If so, is it easy for find an example?

Or given two different rational points $P_{1}$ and $P_{2}$ is there a unique elliptic curve $E$ such that $P_{1}, P_{2} \in E$

Thank you

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  • $\begingroup$ How many points determine an elliptic curve in the plane? That might give you a hint about your last question. $\endgroup$ Aug 25, 2012 at 22:27
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    $\begingroup$ These points are where? In the projective plane? And by elliptic curve you mean in weierstrass form? You should formulate better the question, shouldn't you? $\endgroup$
    – Xarles
    Aug 25, 2012 at 22:29
  • $\begingroup$ @Mariano Suárez-Alvarez no idea, where could I find that info $\endgroup$
    – Tomas
    Aug 25, 2012 at 22:46

1 Answer 1

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Yes. Let $E_1$ be the curve defined by the equation $y^2=x(x-1)(x-2)$ and $E_2$ be the curve $y^2=x(x-1)(x-3)$. Let $P_1=(0,0)$ and $P_2=(1,0)$. These points are certainly on both curves.

On $E_1$, $P_1+P_2=(2,0)$ but on $E_2$ it's $(3,0)$. (Assuming that the point at infinity is the identity.)

In fact, there is a unique elliptic curve passing through every $9$ points in general position.

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