# All Questions

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### A short proof for $\dim(R[T])=\dim(R)+1$?

If $R$ is a commutative ring, it is easy to prove $\dim(R[T]) \geq \dim(R)+1$. For noetherian $R$, we have equality. Every proof I'm aware of uses quite a bit of commutative algebra and non-trivial ...
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### The Ring Game on $K[x,y,z]$

I recently read about the Ring Game on Mathoverflow, and have been trying to determine winning strategies for each player on various rings. The game has two players and begins with a commutative ...
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### Does there exist a bijection of $\mathbb{R}^n$ with itself such that the forward map is connected but the inverse is not?

Let $(X,\tau), (Y,\sigma)$ be two topological spaces. We say that a map $f: \mathcal{P}(X)\to \mathcal{P}(Y)$ between their power sets is connected if for every $S\subset X$ connected, $f(S)\subset Y$ ...
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### Is there a homology theory that counts connected components of a space?

It is well-known that the generators of the zeroth singular homology group $H_0(X)$ of a space $X$ correspond to the path components of $X$. I have recently learned that for Čech homology the ...
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### Is there a categorical definition of submetry?

(Updated to include effective epimorphism.) This question is prompted by the recent discussion of why analysts don't use category theory. It demonstrates what happens when an analyst tries to use ...
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+500

### Geometric interpretation of the Riemann-Roch for curves

Let $X$ be a smooth projective curve of genus $g\geq2$ over an algebraically closed field $k$ and denote by $K$ a canonical divisor. I have some clues about the geometrical interpretation of the ...
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### Continuous projections in $\ell_1$ with norm $>1$

I was trying to find papers and articles about non-contractive continuous projections in $\ell_1(S)$ where $S$ is an arbitrary set. If it is not studied yet, I would like to know results for the case ...
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+200

### Generalization of Liouville's theorem

As proposed in this answer, I wonder if the answer to following question is known. Let $E = E_0$ be the set of elementary functions. For each $i > 0$, inductively define $E_i$ to be the closure ...
588 views

### Solving Special Function Equations Using Lie Symmetries

The Lie group and representation theory approach to special functions, and how they solve the ODEs arising in physics is absolutely amazing. I've given an example of its power below on Bessel's ...
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### Gross-Zagier formulae outside of number theory

(Edit: I have asked this question on MO.) The Gross-Zagier formula and various variations of it form the starting point in most of the existing results towards the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer ...
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### Generalizing $\int_{0}^{1} \frac{\arctan\sqrt{x^{2} + 2}}{\sqrt{x^{2} + 2}} \, \frac{\operatorname dx}{x^{2}+1} = \frac{5\pi^{2}}{96}$

The following integral \begin{align*} \int_{0}^{1} \frac{\arctan\sqrt{x^{2} + 2}}{\sqrt{x^{2} + 2}} \, \frac{dx}{x^{2}+1} = \frac{5\pi^{2}}{96} \tag{1} \end{align*} is called the Ahmed's integral ...
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### In $n>5$, topology = algebra

During the study of the surgery theory I faced following sentence: Surgery theory works best for $n > 5$, when "topology = algebra". I don't know what is the meaning of topology=algebra. ...
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### Limit of sequence of growing matrices

Let $$H=\left(\begin{array}{cccc} 0 & 1/2 & 0 & 1/2 \\ 1/2 & 0 & 1/2 & 0 \\ 1/2 & 0 & 0 & 1/2\\ 0 & 1/2 & 1/2 & 0 \end{array}\right),$$ ...
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### Making Friends around a Circular Table

I have $n$ people seated around a circular table, initially in random order. At each step, I choose two people and switch their seats. What is the minimum number of steps required such that every ...
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### Application of Hilbert's basis theorem in representation theory

In Smalo: Degenerations of Representations of Associative Algebras, Milan J. Math., 2008 there is an application of Hilbert's basis theorem that I don't understand: Two orders are defined on the set ...
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### Curious about an empirically found continued fraction for tanh

First of all, and since this is my first question in this forum, I would like to specify that I am not a professional mathematician (but a philosophy teacher); I apologize by advance if something is ...
519 views

### Is this determinant identity known?

Let $A$ be an $n \times n$ matrix that is 'almost upper triangular' in the following sense: entries on and above the main diagonal can be whatever they want, entries on the diagonal just below the ...
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### Are there infinitely many $N^3$ (especially for prime $N$) that cannot be expressed as a sum of three positive cubes?"

Well few days ago i asked a question on perfect numbers and Tito Piezas III answered the question in a very intriguing way which has helped me to get a lead on it.But his answer and perfect numbers ...
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### Ring structure on the Galois group of a finite field

Let $F$ be a finite field. There is an isomorphism of topological groups $(\mathrm{Gal}(\overline{F}/F),\circ) \cong (\widehat{\mathbb{Z}},+)$. It follows that the Galois group carries the structure ...
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### What is Spec of the Adeles?

Let $K$ be a global field and $A_K$ the ring of adeles. What are the prime ideals of $A_K$? I have been told that a full proof of this is quite subtle, but have been unable to find a reference ...
3k views

### GRE past papers

As it is required for most students who wish to do a Ph.D in maths in the US to sit the GRE subject specific mathematics exam, I hope this question will be of interest to the mathematical community ...
220 views

### Why are period integrals naïve periods?

Apologies for the long question. I recall the definition of a (naïve) period according to Kontsevitch and Zagier [KS]: A (naïve) period is a complex number whose real and imaginary parts are ...
Question. Let $M$ be a model of enough set theory. Then we can form a category $\mathbf{Set}_M$ whose objects are the elements of $M$ and whose morphisms are the functions in $M$. To what extent is ...
### Why is $J$ often used to denote $\mathbb{N}$ or $\mathbb{Z}$ in older texts?
In older books, I've noticed that authors tended to use $J$ to denote (usually) the natural numbers and (less commonly) the integers. Does anyone have any idea why that might've been? A few examples ...