The Resultant, Episode 1: Inside the Episode
In Episode 1 of our miniseries, “The Resultant”, the characters were introduced: integral domain R with fraction field K and extension field L, and polynomials E(x) and F(x) in R[x], factoring completely in L as a(x–u1)···(x–um) and b(x–v1)···(x–vn). (Repeated roots allowed.) We had our first formulas for the resultant:
Filed under Algebraic Geometry
The Resultant, Episode 1
Time to discuss the resultant; we’ll need it for Kendig’s proof of Bézout’s theorem, but it has other uses too. The story will take several episodes, plus extras. Like a miniseries!
Filed under Algebraic Geometry
Filed under Algebraic Geometry
Fulton characterizes the intersection number, I(P, E∩F), with seven properties. Let me just repeat the last one:
Filed under Algebraic Geometry
The tome Commutative Algebra by Zariski and Samuel opens with the memorable sentence, “This book is the child of an unborn parent.” As Zariski explains,
Filed under Algebraic Geometry
We’ve been looking at Kendig‘s two definitions of intersection multiplicity; now let’s look at Fulton‘s.
Fulton characterizes the multiplicity I(E∩F) with seven properties (§3.3). (Fulton calls it the intersection number. Also, he writes I(P,E∩F) for the intersection number at P. I’ll usually assume P is the origin O, and omit writing it.) The last three properties stand out:
Filed under Algebraic Geometry
Last time we looked at Kendig‘s first definition of multiplicity. A branch of E, parametrized by (xE(t),yE(t)), passes through the origin O, as does the curve F. Assume xE(t) and yE(t) are power series in t. Plug them into the polynomial F(x,y), getting a power series F(t). The order of F(t) (the degree of the first nonzero term) is the multiplicity of that intersection—that is, of the branch of E with the entire curve F at O.
Filed under Algebraic Geometry
Bézout’s theorem requires us to count intersection points according to their multiplicity. OK, what’s multiplicity? (Fulton uses the phrase intersection number.)
Filed under Algebraic Geometry
As I said last time, I’m learning some algebraic geometry, starting with Bézout’s theorem, and using Fulton’s Algebraic Curves and Kendig’s A Guide to Plane Algebraic Curves as the texts. Right now we’re looking at this example from Fulton:
Filed under Algebraic Geometry
I’ve decided to learn algebraic geometry. Or at least more algebraic geometry—I’m not starting from zero. But I’m still sampling the appetizers; I’m using Fulton’s Algebraic Curves and Kendig’s A Guide to Plane Algebraic Curves as my initial texts. Eventually I’d like to understand schemes, but that’s dessert; I plan on making a long, leisurely meal of it, with plenty of time savoring examples and history, and chewing proofs to extract all the flavor. (Can you tell I’m writing this before lunch?)
Filed under Algebraic Geometry
Diagonal Argument 