Sylvester versus Gundelfinger

Abstract

Let $V_n$ be the ${\rm SL}_2$-module of binary forms of degree $n$ and let $V = V_1 \oplus V_3 \oplus V_4$. We show that the minimum number of generators of the algebra $R = \mathbb{C}[V]^{{\rm SL}_2}$ of polynomial functions on $V$ invariant under the action of ${\rm SL}_2$ equals 63. This settles a 143-year old question.