Published March 7, 2026 | Version version 1
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Generalizations of the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra and Vieta's Theorem to Exterior Difference Equations: A Complete Theory with Rigorous Proofs

Authors/Creators

  • 1. ROR icon Peking University

Description

This paper systematically establishes the generalizations of the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra and Vieta's Theorem to exterior difference equations, which are the discrete analogs of exterior differential equations. First, for constant coefficient linear exterior difference equations, we introduce characteristic forms and the characteristic polynomial of the exterior difference operator. Using the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, we prove that the dimension of the solution space equals the order of the operator—this is called the Fundamental Theorem of Exterior Difference Equations. The Vieta relations establish algebraic connections between eigenvalues (generalized roots) and coefficients. Second, for variable coefficient linear exterior difference equations, we define the Wronskian determinant of exterior difference forms and prove that it satisfies a discrete Liouville formula, where its logarithmic difference equals a combination of the coefficients. This can be viewed as a natural generalization of the sum-of-roots relation in Vieta's Theorem. Furthermore, using Grassmann algebra, we establish precise relations between higher-order coefficients and higher exterior wedge product determinants of formal solutions, obtaining higher-order discrete Liouville formulas. We rigorously prove that in the constant coefficient case, these formulas are completely equivalent to Vieta's Theorem, thus extending Vieta's Theorem completely to variable coefficient linear exterior difference equations. Building on this, we deeply explore applications of Grassmann algebra in exterior difference equations, proving the difference invariance of Pl\"ucker relations satisfied by subdeterminant vectors. Within the framework of difference algebra, we establish a rigorous algebraic formulation of the Difference Vieta Theorem, expressing coefficients as logarithmic differences of symmetric functions of formal solutions. We generalize the Liouville formula to first-order exterior difference systems (discrete Pfaffian systems), obtaining a generalized discrete Liouville formula. We develop the stochastic exterior difference equations with rigorous Ito calculus, establishing the stochastic discrete Liouville formula with explicit Ito correction terms. We construct the supersymmetric exterior difference equations and prove the supersymmetric discrete Liouville formula involving the supertrace. We develop the Galois theory of exterior difference equations, establishing the Picard-Vessiot extension and the Galois correspondence, and proving the relation between the Galois group and the Wronskian determinant. We develop the complete theory of nonlinear exterior difference equations and bifurcation theory, establishing the nonlinear higher order Liouville formula and the Vieta bifurcation criterion. We develop the theory of quantum integrable systems, proving the quantum Vieta theorem for the XXX spin chain and establishing the connection with exterior difference equations. We develop infinite-dimensional exterior difference systems, establishing the rigorous measure-theoretic foundations for the KP hierarchy and proving the infinite-dimensional Liouville formula. We develop arithmetic exterior difference equations, establishing the arithmetic Liouville formula and its connection with L-functions. We develop the singularity theory of exterior difference equations, establishing the Frobenius method, monodromy theory, and the Riemann-Hilbert correspondence. We provide complete rigorous proofs for all these theories. Based on this comprehensive foundation, we propose eight new future research directions including moduli space theory, topological quantum field theory interpretation, mirror symmetry, Hodge theory, motivic theory, deformation theory, noncommutative geometry interpretation, and arithmetic quantum chaos, each with precise conjectures and open problems. These results reveal a profound unity between algebra, geometry, analysis, and physics in the theory of exterior difference equations, providing important perspectives for discrete differential geometry, integrable systems, and related fields.

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Alternative title (English)
Generalizations of the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra and Vieta's Theorem to Exterior Difference Equations

Dates

Submitted
2025-12-31

References

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