Second proof of the irreducibility of the first differential equation of painlevé

Abstract

In our paper [U2], we proved the irreducibility of the first differential equation y″ = 6y2 + x of Painlevé. In that paper we explained the origin of the problem and the importance of giving a rigorous proof. We can say that our method in [U2] is algebraic and finite dimensional in contrast to a prediction of Painlevé who expected a proof depending on the infinite dimensional differential Galois theory. Even nowadays the latter remains to be established. It seems that Painlevé needed an armament with the general theory (the infinite dimensional differential Galois theory) in the controversy with R. Liouville on the mathematical foundation of the proof of the irreducibility of the first differential equation (1902-03).