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Suppose that I have $n$ homogeneous polynomials $f_1, \dots, f_n \in \mathbb{C}[x_1, \dots, x_m]$ and that $n < m$. Is there a well known method or algorithm to determine if these polynomials are algebraically independent?

As far as I know the Jacobian criterion works only for the case where $n=m$.

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    $\begingroup$ You can consider the equations $f_i=t_i$ with new variables $t_i$, and eliminate the $x$'s using Groebner bases. $\endgroup$
    – Mariano Suárez-Álvarez
    Commented Oct 8, 2010 at 20:57
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    $\begingroup$ (This is explained, if I recall correctly, in Cox's book on Varieties, Ideals and algorithms) $\endgroup$
    – Mariano Suárez-Álvarez
    Commented Oct 8, 2010 at 20:58

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The polynomials are algebraically independent if and only if $$ df_1 \wedge df_2 \wedge \cdots \wedge df_n $$ is not identically zero. In other words, you have only to check that one of the maximal minors of the matrix $\left( \frac{\partial f_i}{\partial x_j} \right)$ is nonzero.

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    $\begingroup$ Can you give a proof? $\endgroup$
    – Martin Brandenburg
    Commented Oct 9, 2010 at 11:06
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    $\begingroup$ Martin, in char. 0 the map $f:\mathbf{A}^m \rightarrow \mathbf{A}^n$ is smooth on a dense open in the source if and only if it is dominant, and such generic smoothness is equivalent to generic injectivity of the induced map $f^{\ast}(\Omega^1_{\mathbf{A}^n/k}) \rightarrow \Omega^1_{\mathbf{A}^m/k}$. But at the generic point, such injectivity can be checked between $n$th exterior powers. $\endgroup$
    – BCnrd
    Commented Oct 9, 2010 at 12:47
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Hi there. A Groebner basis based algorithm that also produces an annihilating polynomial in case the polynomials are algebraically dependent can be found on the Singular site at

http://www.singular.uni-kl.de/Manual/3-0-2/sing_534.htm .

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