# Polynomial bijection from ZxZ to Z?

It is known that the polynomial $f(n,m)=\frac{1}{2}(n+m)(n+m+1)+m$ defines bijection $\mathbb{N}\times\mathbb{N}\to\mathbb{N}$ (Put pairs of $\mathbb{N}$ into the semi-infinite matrix and count them by diagonals). Does there exist a polynomial bijection $\mathbb{Z}\times\mathbb{Z}\to\mathbb{Z}$? The question is related to the open question about polynomial bijection $\mathbb{Q}\times\mathbb{Q}\to\mathbb{Q}$ here.

• Related but not decisive: thehcmr.org/issue1_2/bert_and_ernie.pdf Dec 28 '12 at 6:53
• [It's also AMM 6028, which remains unsolved as far as I know.] Dec 28 '12 at 7:02
• @Dickman: It took a me a while to know what you were talking about. Let me add the link books.google.es/books?id=KX6D6hefyA0C&pg=217 Dec 28 '12 at 11:44
• @Dicman and @Boumol: Thank you for interesting references. Interesting, AMM6028 asks for polynomials with integer coefficients. In fact, the bijection $\mathbb{N}\times\mathbb{N}\to\mathbb{N}$ I know has rational coefficients. Does there exist polynomial $\mathbb{N}\times\mathbb{N}\to\mathbb{N}$ bijection with integer coefficients? Dec 28 '12 at 18:32
• Mar 9 '16 at 22:09

## 1 Answer

It is an open problem. Maximal results about bijections from $\mathbb N\times \mathbb N$, $\mathbb Z\times \mathbb N$, $\mathbb Z\times \mathbb Z$ to $\mathbb N$ are contained in

John S. Lew, Arnold L. Rosenberg, Polynomial indexing of integer lattice-points I. General concepts and quadratic polynomials, J. Number Theory 10 (1978) pp 192-214, doi:10.1016/0022-314X(78)90035-5.
Polynomial indexing of integer lattice-points II. Nonexistence results for higher-degree polynomials, J. Number Theory 10 (1978) pp 215-243, doi:10.1016/0022-314X(78)90036-7

• I edited the references and links. Mar 10 '16 at 7:05