Counting Number Fields in Fibers

Abstract

Let X be a projective curve over Q and t a non-constant Q-rational function on X of degree n>1. For every integer a pick a points P(a) on X such that t(P(a))=a. Dvornicich and Zannier (1994) proved that for large N the field Q(P(1), ..., P(N)) is of degree at least exp(cN/log N) over Q, where c>0 depends only on X and t. In this note we extend this result, replacing Q by an arbitrary number field.