Rational points of exact period three for the quadratic family

For the quadratic family $f_c(x) = x^2 + c$ over $\Q$, we isolate a general $S$-unit and ABC template for rational periodic cycles: under the ABC conjecture, any rational quantity built from the consecutive-point sums of a rational period-$n$ cycle whose value and shift-by-$1$ are both $S$-units (with $S$ the support of the denominator of $c$) has logarithmic height at most $(1+\eps)\sum_{p \in S} \log p + O_\eps(1)$. Specializing to period $3$ in the change of coordinates $u = x_0 + x_1$ and $v = x_0 + x_2$, the period-$3$ condition reduces to $v = -1/(1+u)$, forcing the parameter $t = u$ to satisfy $t, t+1 \in \Z[S^{-1}]^\times$; the template then yields, under ABC, $\max\{|a|,|b|,|a+b|\} \le C_\eps \rad(d)^{1+\eps}$ for $t = a/b$ in lowest terms. We also characterize the period-$3$ locus on the $(u,v)$-plane intrinsically, isolating the ghost curve. Extending the height bound to higher periods remains an open structural question.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
arXiv (Cornell University)
Published
2026-10-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2610.39820
Primary Topic
Algebraic Geometry and Number Theory
Type
preprint
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
preprint

Rational points of exact period three for the quadratic family

Antti Käenmäki, Pekka Kosunen
arXiv (Cornell University)
Algebraic Geometry and Number Theory
preprint

Rational points of exact period three for the quadratic family

Antti Käenmäki, Pekka Kosunen
preprint en

Abstract

For the quadratic family $f_c(x) = x^2 + c$ over $\Q$, we isolate a general $S$-unit and ABC template for rational periodic cycles: under the ABC conjecture, any rational quantity built from the consecutive-point sums of a rational period-$n$ cycle whose value and shift-by-$1$ are both $S$-units (with $S$ the support of the denominator of $c$) has logarithmic height at most $(1+\eps)\sum_{p \in S} \log p + O_\eps(1)$. Specializing to period $3$ in the change of coordinates $u = x_0 + x_1$ and $v = x_0 + x_2$, the period-$3$ condition reduces to $v = -1/(1+u)$, forcing the parameter $t = u$ to satisfy $t, t+1 \in \Z[S^{-1}]^\times$; the template then yields, under ABC, $\max\{|a|,|b|,|a+b|\} \le C_\eps \rad(d)^{1+\eps}$ for $t = a/b$ in lowest terms. We also characterize the period-$3$ locus on the $(u,v)$-plane intrinsically, isolating the ghost curve. Extending the height bound to higher periods remains an open structural question.

arXiv (Cornell University)
Algebraic Geometry and Number Theory
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Laika access coming soon