Questions tagged [discriminant]

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14 votes
1 answer
523 views

Is the discriminant of a free (as a module) $R$-algebra always congruent to a square modulo 4?

Let $R$ be a commutative ring. Let $A$ be an $R$-algebra (i.e., an $R$-module equipped with an $R$-bilinear multiplication map that turns $A$ into a unital ring). We do not require $A$ to be ...
darij grinberg's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
865 views

Most discriminants are almost squarefree

Write, for $f(x) = x^d + a_2 x^{d-2} + \cdots + a_d\in \mathbb{Z}[x]$, $H(f) := \max(|a_i|^{\frac{1}{i}})$. Does anyone know of a reference that would allow me to show that the proportion of $f$ with ...
alpoge's user avatar
  • 793
11 votes
2 answers
968 views

Parameter space for complete intersections and their discriminant

Consider globally complete intersections in $\mathbb{P}^n$, of codimension $k$, of some fixed multi-degree $(d_1,\dots,d_k)$. Is there some nice (i.e. "explicit") parameter space for them? (even if ...
Dmitry Kerner's user avatar
9 votes
0 answers
311 views

Discriminants of Gleason's period-$n$ polynomials for the Mandelbrot set

Gleason's polynomials are the sequence of monic integer polynomials defined recursively by $$ \prod_{d \mid n} G_d(c) = (((c^2+c)^2+c)^2+\cdots+c)^2+c \quad \quad \quad [\textrm{$n$ iterates}], $$ for ...
Vesselin Dimitrov's user avatar
9 votes
0 answers
253 views

How small may the discriminant of an $S_d$-field be?

In every degree $d$, the Galois closure of the typical number field has the maximal possible Galois group $S_d$. Denote by $f(d)$ the least absolute value of a discriminant of an $S_d$-field of degree ...
Vesselin Dimitrov's user avatar
9 votes
0 answers
378 views

Number fields ordered by discriminant

Since the discriminant of a number field $K \neq \mathbb{Q}$ is bounded from below by an exponential of the degree $[K:\mathbb{Q}]$, for instance by Minkowski's Geometry of Numbers bound, there are ...
Vesselin Dimitrov's user avatar
9 votes
0 answers
326 views

Is this a possible strengthening of the Lehmer conjecture?

Here is another possible refinement of the Lehmer conjecture. For $\alpha \in \overline{\mathbb{Q}}^{\times}$, let $C_{\alpha} \subseteq \mathbb{Q}(\alpha)$ be the maximal cyclotomic field contained ...
Vesselin Dimitrov's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
324 views

What is the subgroup of $\mathrm{SL}(n,\mathbb{C})$ which preserves the discriminant?

$\DeclareMathOperator{\SL}{\operatorname{SL}}$Let $\mathcal{P}_{n-1}$ be the space of complex polynomials in one variable, say $z$, of degree at most $n-1$. As a complex vector space, it is clearly $n$...
Malkoun's user avatar
  • 4,991
8 votes
0 answers
214 views

Is there an approximate formula for the discriminant of a sparse polynomial?

Consider integer polynomials $P \in \mathbb{Z}[X] \setminus \{0\}$ of a degree $D \geq 1$ and without multiple complex roots. Let me introduce a notation $$ d(P) := \frac{1}{D} \log{|\mathrm{Disc}(P)|}...
Vesselin Dimitrov's user avatar
7 votes
0 answers
154 views

Does a discriminant condition on $f(x,y)$ imply that $f$ is weighted homogeneous?

[This is an updated version of https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/4522399/.] Let $f = \sum_{i=0}^n f_iy^i \in \mathbb{C}[x,y]$ be a polynomial (where $f_i \in \mathbb{C}[x]$ with $f_0,f_n \ne 0$)...
Immi's user avatar
  • 71
6 votes
4 answers
663 views

What is the essence of the constant factor in the standard definitions of the discriminant?

Let $f(x) = x^m+\sum_{j=0}^{m-1}f_{m-j}x^j\in P[x]$ be a monic polynomial over a field $P$ and let $f(x) = (x-\alpha_1)\cdot\ldots\cdot(x-\alpha_m)$ be a factorization of $f$ over an extension field $...
Mikhail Goltvanitsa's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
511 views

Construction of a symmetric polynomial in the roots that acts like the discriminant

The discriminant $\Delta(P)$ of a monic polynomial $P(x)=x^n + a_{n-1} x^{n-1} + \dotsb + a_0$ of degree $n$, when expanded (using elementary symmetric polynomials), is a symmetric polynomial of ...
rgvalenciaalbornoz's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
736 views

Discriminant of $\alpha P(u) + (z-u) P'(u)$

I'm trying to find a “closed form” of $\textrm{Discriminant}_u(f(u))$, where $f(u) := \alpha P(u) + (z-u) P'(u)$. Here $P(u)$ is a monic polynomial of degree $d > 1$ with $u\in\mathbb{C}$, $\alpha$ ...
Fll'Yissetat's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
296 views

Discriminants of Clifford algebras

I have a Clifford algebra defined over a field of characteristic not equal to $2$. Is there a formula for its discriminant in terms of the corresponding symmetric bilinear form (or in terms of its ...
John Palmieri's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
318 views

Prime-like elements of rings

An element $p$ of a commutative ring $R$ is called "prime" if, for any $a,b\in R$, whenever $ab$ is a multiple of $p$, either $a$ or $b$ is a multiple of $p$. Is there a word for the "prime-like" ...
Owen Biesel's user avatar
  • 2,326
4 votes
1 answer
166 views

Discriminants of some $q$-analogs of $(1+x)^n$

Let $[n]_q=1+q+\dots +q^{n-1}$, $ {[n]_q}! =[1]_q [2]_q \dots [n]_q$ and $\binom{n}{j}_q = \frac{[n]_q!}{[j]_q![n-j]_q!}$ be the usual $q$-notation. Consider the polynomials $p_n(q,r,x)= \sum_{j=0}^n ...
Johann Cigler's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
312 views

Principal Minors of the Resultant

Let $x_1, \ldots, x_n$ be variables, $e_n$ be the elementary symmetric polynomials. I will denote the discriminant by $$D_n(x_1, \ldots, x_n) = \prod_{i<j} (x_i - x_j)^2$$ And a generalized ...
Nick R's user avatar
  • 1,047
4 votes
1 answer
402 views

Discriminant of a radical extension of a quadratic number field

Let $K=\mathbb Q(\sqrt 5)$ and $\varepsilon = \frac{3 + \sqrt 5}{2}$ its totally positive fundamental unit (i.e. it generates the subgroup of totally positive units). For any $n \geq 3$, let $L_n = K(\...
A. Bailleul's user avatar
  • 1,164
4 votes
1 answer
360 views

A generalization of the discriminant of a polynomial

Let $\mathbb{K}$ be a field and let $f \in \mathbb{K}[x]$ be a monic polynomial of degree $n$. Suppose that $\alpha_1, \ldots, \alpha_n$ are all the roots of $f$ (in some algebraic closure of $\mathbb{...
user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
124 views

Reference request: Discriminant of a $V_4$-extension of local fields is the product of discriminants of intermediate fields

Disclaimer - cross-posting: I already posted this question on MSE, here. In line with the accepted answer of this meta question, I am also asking it here, since it is a research-level question and it ...
Sebastian Monnet's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
141 views

Discriminant mod 8

Let $f,g\in\mathbb{Z}[X]$ be monic polynomials of degree $n$, with discriminants $\Delta_{f}$ and $\Delta_{g}$, such that $f=g$ in $\mathbb{F}_{2}[X]$ and $\Delta_{f}$ is odd. Is there an elementary ...
Matthé van der Lee's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
444 views

Why the sign in the definition of the discriminant?

Consider the split monic $f=\prod_{i=1}^n(x-x_i)\in \mathbb Z[x_1 ,\dots ,x_n,x]$. Its discriminant is usually defined as $$(-1)^{n(n-1)/2}\prod_{i=1}^nf^\prime(x_i)=\prod_{1\leq i<j\leq n}(x_i-x_j)...
Arrow's user avatar
  • 10.3k
3 votes
1 answer
333 views

plane cubics and conic bundles

It is well known that any plane cubic curve can be obtained as the discriminant locus of a conic bundle (actually even just of a net of conics). Does this hold true also for all nodal cubics (with ...
bugger's user avatar
  • 33
3 votes
0 answers
207 views

Does there exist a type of discriminant not only for irreducible polynomials but also for exponential functions, logarithm functions?

I think discriminant is the strongest tool that I've used_ https://math.stackexchange.com/q/4035405/822157, however, does there exist a type of discriminant not only for irreducible polynomials but ...
user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
105 views

When does a number field have $p$-rank greater than $n$?

Consider $F/\mathbb{Q}$, a number field. Let $S$ be a finite set of primes of $F$ containing the Archimedean primes. Let $n$ be any natural number and $L_n$ be a finite extension of $F$ such that $\...
debanjana's user avatar
  • 1,161
3 votes
0 answers
112 views

Does anyone know anything about the 2-valuation of the discriminant of a polynomial?

Take a random polynomial $f$ with integer coefficients (e.g., choose coefficients between $1$ to $B$ of a fixed degree $n$ and let $B$ tend to $\infty$). Using computer we noted that the 2-valuation ...
Lior Bary-Soroker's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
209 views

Discriminant polynomial generalizing the usual discriminant

I wonder if anybody has seen the following natural polynomial. Given a monic univariate polynomial $P(z)$ of degree $N$, denote its roots by $z_1,..., z_N$. Now form a new polynomial $Q(z)$ of ...
user53092's user avatar
  • 129
2 votes
1 answer
929 views

Definition of a Discriminant in Three Variables

I am studying pell conics and the source I am using (Franz Lemmermeyer: Conics - A Poor Man's Elliptic Curves) defines its discriminant as follows: For equations of the form $X^2 + XY + \frac{1-d}{4}...
Jabberwakky's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
452 views

Is the set of integers represented by a quadratic form of non-fundamental discriminant a subset of the rep. set of a form of fundamental discriminant?

I am currently working with positive-definite, reduced, primitive, integral binary quadratic forms, and I have noticed something interesting. Conjecture: Let $Q$ be a form of non-fundamental ...
Chris Donnay's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
103 views

Number fields with given discriminant

In the special case of number fields that are the splitting fields of irreducible polynomials of degree 5 or 6 with Symmetric Galois group (so degree 120 or 720 over Q), is there a good upper bound on ...
Joe Shipman's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
132 views

Genus 2 hyperelliptic cryptography : typical discriminant and class number

As far as I know, there is no standard yet for cryptography based on the DLP over Jacobians of genus 2 curves. Yet, what can we say about the class number, and the discriminant of the complex ...
Calodeon's user avatar
  • 637
1 vote
2 answers
130 views

What would be a standard reference for the formula of the discriminant of $f(t^d)$?

I've posted this to Math.SE about a month ago: Seems like $$ \Delta(a_0+a_1t^d+a_2t^{2d}+...+a_nt^{nd})=(-1)^{n\frac{d(d-1)}2}d^{nd}(a_0a_n)^{d-1}[\Delta(a_0+a_1t+a_2t^2+...+a_nt^n)]^d, $$ where $\...
მამუკა ჯიბლაძე's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
228 views

Show that $\sum_{i=0}^{\frac{p-1}{2}} {{\frac{p-1}{2}}\choose {i}}^2 x^{\frac{p-1}{2}-i}$ is separable

This is a problem occurs in my research. For any algebraically closed field $k$ of characteristic $p$. I want to show that $\sum_{i=0}^{\frac{p-1}{2}} {{\frac{p-1}{2}}\choose {i}}^2 x^{\frac{p-1}{2}-i}...
Huy Dang's user avatar
  • 245
1 vote
1 answer
291 views

Upper bound for discriminant of Galois closure

In Lang's Algebraic Number Theory book he uses a certain bound on the discriminant of the Galois closure of a number field $K$ without proof stating that it is an easy exercise. Let $\tilde{K}$ be the ...
Melanka's user avatar
  • 577
1 vote
1 answer
340 views

A mysterious expression from a discriminant

I recently investigated $\textrm{Discriminant}_u(\omega P(u) +(z-u)P'(u))$, where $P(u) := u^3 + au + b$ and $\omega$ is a real parameter (with $\omega\in(0,1)\cup(1,3)$) associated with the order of ...
Fll'Yissetat's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
39 views

Proving Geometric Inequality Using Equation Discriminant

I met this question before: An acute $\triangle ABC$ (you can imagine $BC$ below) has a point $D$ on side $AC$. The line parallel to BC through $D$ meets $AB$ at $E$, and the parallel line $BD$ ...
yusancky's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
94 views

Reducible binary quadratic form

Let $f(x,y)=(ex+fy)(gx+hy); \ x,y,e,f,g,h \in \mathbb{Z}$ be a reducible integral binary quadratic form. Is there a criterion to determine if a number is represented by this form? In particular, does ...
Max Power's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
1k views

Discriminant of a compositum of number fields, a bound?

Given two number fields $E$ and $F$, is there a bound on $|d_{EF}|$, the absolute value of the absolute discriminant of the compositum of fields $EF$, in terms of $d_E$, $d_F$, and the extension ...
Calodeon's user avatar
  • 637
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

Discriminant of a polynomial in two variables

I want to compute the discriminant of the following polynomial $$ F(X,Y)=X^mY^n+\sum_{i=0}^{m-1}\sum_{j=0}^{n-1}c_{ij}X^iY^j. $$ Here the discriminate means the equation $D(c_{i,j})$ in the variables ...
Marcos's user avatar
  • 41
0 votes
0 answers
181 views

Distinguishing between prime factors of cubic discriminant and polynomial discriminant

Let $f(x)\in\mathbb{Q}[x]$ be an irrreducible cubic with root $\alpha$. Let $K=\mathbb{Q}(\alpha)$. There may be primes dividing $\text{disc}(f)$ that don't divide $\operatorname{disc}(K)$, so an ...
Nicolas Banks's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
102 views

Non-isomorphic cubic fields with a given discriminant

For a cubic field $K$ with defining polynomial $P(x)=x^3 + \frac{39}{25}x^2 + \frac{22}{25}x +\frac{4}{25}$ Magma calculates the discriminant $D=-3340$. ...
Maksym Voznyy's user avatar