Maxim Kontsevich and Don Zagier defined the algebra of periods and conjectured that one can pass from a representation of a given period to another one using only three rules. Assuming this conjecture, can we define the automorphism group of a given period using only these three rules? Can it lead to a method to prove that two periods are equal? Has such a question already been investigated?
Thanks in advance and happy new year.
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asked Jan 1, 2015 at 14:48
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The idea that periods should be subject to a "transcendental Galois theory" has been first advanced by Grothendieck, who sketched a beautiful (but extremely conjectural) relationship with his theory of motives and motivic Galois groups. The resulting Period conjecture is very closely related to the Kontsevich-Zagier period conjecture that you mention in your question. I could give more details, but instead I will recommend this short and beautiful survey together with this other survey for some recent developments.
answered Jan 1, 2015 at 17:41