The Arithmetic of Dynamical Systems

Arithmetic dynamics is the study of the number-theoretic properties of rational and algebraic points under repeated application of a polynomial or rational function. This book presents an introduction to the discipline of arithmetic dynamics.

---

This book is designed to provide a path for the reader into an amalgamation oftwo venerable areas ofmathematics, Dynamical Systems and Number Theory. Many of the motivating theorems and conjectures in the new subject of Arithmetic Dynamics may be viewed as the transposition ofclassical results in the theory ofDiophantine equations to the setting of discrete dynamical systems, especially to the iteration theory ofmaps on the projective line and other algebraic varieties. Although there is no precise dictionary connecting the two areas, the reader will gain a flavor of the correspondence from the following associations: Diophantine Equations Dynamical Systems rational and integral rational and integral points on varieties points in orbits torsion points on periodic and preperiodic abelian varieties points ofrational maps There are a variety of topics covered in this volume, but inevitably the choice reflects the author's tastes and interests. Many related areas that also fall under the heading ofarithmetic or algebraic dynamics have been omitted in order to keep the book to a manageable length. A brief list of some of these omitted topics may be found in the introduction. Online Resources The reader will find additonal material, references and errata at http://www. math. brown. ectu/-jhs/ADSHome. html Acknowledgments The author has consulted a great many sources in writing this book. Every attempt has been made to give proper attribution for all but the most standard results.