# Ring of invariants for cyclic matrix group acting on polynomial ring?

If $G \leq GL_2(\mathbb{C})$ is generated by matrix $\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2\\0 & -1 \end{pmatrix}$, acting on the polynomial ring $\mathbb{C}[X,Y]$, then how can we find the ring of invariants $\mathbb{C}[X,Y]^G$?

I've got it in the form $\{f \in \mathbb{C}[X,Y] : f(x+2y,-y)=f(x,y)\}$, but I think a nicer form is required. Maybe something to do with eigenvectors? Is the $G$-invariance of the zero set $Z(f)$ relevant?

Thanks for any help with this!

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I presume what the question wants is a description via generators and relations. Are you familiar with doing this using Molien's theorem? –  Qiaochu Yuan Mar 30 '12 at 18:59
@Qiaochu Yuan - no, but since the eigenvalue-eigenvector pairs are $\big(1,\begin{pmatrix} 1\\0 \end{pmatrix}\big)$ and $\big(-1,\begin{pmatrix} 1\\-1 \end{pmatrix}\big)$, does this mean the answer is $\mathbb{C}[X,(X-Y)^2]$? (This looks right but I can't see how to prove it!) –  Harry Macpherson Mar 30 '12 at 19:09
Your finite group $G$ is of order 2 (square your upper triangular matrix to get the identity matrix) and all $G$ orbits look like lines (on the complex $2$-plane) of the form $Y = -X/2 + c$, where $c\in\mathbb{C}$. So isn't your ring of invariance just $\mathbb{C}[X]$? –  math-visitor Jun 5 '12 at 22:46