We construct an explicit degree-five polynomial over $\mathbf C$ that is not a coordinate in four variables but becomes one after adjoining a single variable. This gives a counterexample to the stable coordinate conjecture in four variables. Every fiber is isomorphic to affine three-space, yet its embedding in affine four-space is not rectifiable. Thus the example also disproves the Abhyankar–Sathaye embedding conjecture in ambient dimension four.

We construct an explicit counterexample to the Abhyankar–Sathaye conjecture: a noncoordinate polynomial in four complex variables whose zero fibre is affine three-space. Adjoining variables gives counterexamples in every ambient dimension at least four.