Positivity conjecture for the shadow Markoff tree

From papers

Let (A,B,C)(A,B,C) be an initial triple of solutions associated with

(A,B,C)=(1+αε,1+βε,1+γε),(A,B,C)=(1+\alpha\varepsilon,1+\beta\varepsilon,1+\gamma\varepsilon),

where α,β,γ\alpha,\beta,\gamma are positive integers and (α:β:γ)QP2(\alpha:\beta:\gamma)\in\mathbb{Q}\mathbb{P}^2. Mutations and permutations act along the Markoff tree, and positivity means that every resulting triple has positive integer entries.

Positivity conjecture. Every triple (A,B,C)(A,B,C) of positive integer solutions to the shadow Markoff equation can be obtained from an initial triple with (α:β:γ)(\alpha:\beta:\gamma) a rational point in the quadrilateral with vertices

(0:0:1),(1:0:2),(1:1:1),(0:2:1),(0:0:1),\quad (1:0:2),\quad (1:1:1),\quad (0:2:1),

via mutations and permutations along the Markoff tree.

This conjecture is intended to give a complete characterization of the positive integer solutions to the shadow Markoff equation, a problem previously formulated for solutions whose ordinary and nilpotent parts are all positive. Its status is unresolved in the supplied source.

Progress summary

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Sources & referencesView supporting material

Primary source

Nathan Bonin, “Conditions of positivity on a shadow Markoff Tree”, arXiv:2403.07668 (2025).

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