Mazur's torsion theorem
Encyclopedia
In algebraic geometry
Mazur's torsion theorem, due to Barry Mazur
, classifies the possible torsion subgroup
s of the group of rational points on an elliptic curve
defined over the rational numbers.
If Cn denotes the cyclic group
of order n, then the possible torsion subgroups are Cn with 1 ≤ n ≤ 10, and also C12; and the direct sum of C2 with C2, C4, C6 or C8.
Algebraic geometry
Algebraic geometry is a branch of mathematics which combines techniques of abstract algebra, especially commutative algebra, with the language and the problems of geometry. It occupies a central place in modern mathematics and has multiple conceptual connections with such diverse fields as complex...
Mazur's torsion theorem, due to Barry Mazur
Barry Mazur
-Life:Born in New York City, Mazur attended the Bronx High School of Science and MIT, although he did not graduate from the latter on account of failing a then-present ROTC requirement. Regardless, he was accepted for graduate school and received his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1959,...
, classifies the possible torsion subgroup
Torsion subgroup
In the theory of abelian groups, the torsion subgroup AT of an abelian group A is the subgroup of A consisting of all elements that have finite order...
s of the group of rational points on an elliptic curve
Elliptic curve
In mathematics, an elliptic curve is a smooth, projective algebraic curve of genus one, on which there is a specified point O. An elliptic curve is in fact an abelian variety — that is, it has a multiplication defined algebraically with respect to which it is a group — and O serves as the identity...
defined over the rational numbers.
If Cn denotes the cyclic group
Cyclic group
In group theory, a cyclic group is a group that can be generated by a single element, in the sense that the group has an element g such that, when written multiplicatively, every element of the group is a power of g .-Definition:A group G is called cyclic if there exists an element g...
of order n, then the possible torsion subgroups are Cn with 1 ≤ n ≤ 10, and also C12; and the direct sum of C2 with C2, C4, C6 or C8.