4
$\begingroup$

Let $K=\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{6})$. I am looking to determine all $K$-rational points on the curve $$C: y^{2}=3x^6-24x^5+24x^4-54x^3+24x^2-24x+3.$$ More precisely, $C$ is a twist of the modular curve $X_{0}(26)$. I know that Bruin and Najman (https://arxiv.org/abs/1406.0655) have determined all quadratic points on $X_{0}(26)$ using the finiteness of the Jacobian of $X_{0}(26)$ over $\mathbb{Q}$.

Let $J$ denote the Jacobian of $C$. Then $J$ has rank 1 over $\mathbb{Q}$. It's also interesting that $C(\mathbb{Q})=\emptyset$ (this can be seen using the TwoCoverDescent function on Magma).

I would really appreciate any pointers on how to proceed.

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

5
$\begingroup$

I used Magma to point search on $C/K$ up to a height of $1000$ and it appears that $C(K) = \emptyset$. If that's true, then one can probably use the Mordell-Weil sieve to prove it. Here's a bit more detail.

The curve $C$ has four automorphisms defined over $\mathbb{Q}$ and for one of these (the map $(x,y) \mapsto (1/x,y/x^{3})$), the quotient curve has genus $1$. In particular, there is a map from $\phi : C \to E$, where $E : y^{2} = x^{3} - 651x - 12742$. This curve $E$ has rank $1$ over $K$.

For a finite set $S$ of prime ideals of $\mathcal{O}_{K}$ (all of which are primes of good reduction for $E/K$), one can write down the commutative diagram $$ \require{AMScd} \begin{CD} C(K) @>>> E(K)\\ @VVV @VV{\beta}V\\ \prod_{\mathfrak{p} \in S} C(\mathbb{F}_{\mathfrak{p}}) @>\alpha>> \prod_{\mathfrak{p} \in S} E(\mathbb{F}_{\mathfrak{p}})\\ \end{CD} $$ The horizontal maps in this diagram use the map from $C$ to $E$, while the vertical maps use reduction modulo the prime ideals in $S$. If $P \in C(K)$ is a point, then the image of $\alpha$ and the image of $\beta$ (as subsets of $\prod_{\mathfrak{p} \in S} E(\mathbb{F}_{\mathfrak{p}})$) have a non-trivial intersection. So if one can find a set $S$ of primes for which the image of $\alpha$ and the image of $\beta$ are disjoint, this proves that $C(K)$ is empty.

For more about this, I recommend The Mordell-Weil sieve: Proving non-existence of rational points on curves by Nils Bruin and Michael Stoll.

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.