Questions tagged [quadratic-forms]
Algebraic and geometric theory of quadratic forms and symmetric bilinear forms, e.g., values attained by quadratic forms, isotropic subspaces, the Witt ring, invariants of quadratic forms, the discriminant and Clifford algebra of a quadratic form, Pfister forms, automorphisms of quadratic forms.
543 questions
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Reference request: relationship between discriminant and smoothness of a conic over arbitrary fields
I'm looking for an (ideally modern) reference of the relationship between the discriminant and smoothness of projective conics over arbitrary fields (including those of characteristic 2). Let $k$ be a ...
2
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0
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114
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Existence theorem for symmetric nondegenerate forms over a ring
There exists a rich theory for inner product spaces (i.e. vector spaces with a symmetric nondegenerate bilinear form) over fields, and it can be discussed in the context of local rings and free ...
7
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2
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632
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Determining if a quadratic form is non-negative if variables are non-negative
Let $f(x_1,\dots,x_n) = \sum_{1 \le i \le j \le n} c_{i,j}x_ix_j$ be a homogeneous quadratic form. Is there a quick-ish way to determine whether $f(x_1,\dots,x_n) \ge 0$ for all $x_1,\dots,x_n \ge 0$?
...
11
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0
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Characterization of certain 4-dimensional lattices
Let $\Lambda \subset {\bf Q}^4$ be a lattice, i.e., $\Lambda$ is a free abelian group and $\Lambda \otimes {\bf Q} = {\bf Q^4}$.
The determinants of those dilation-rotations (i.e. linear maps of ${\bf ...
2
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2
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The stabiliser group of an isotropic quadratic form over $\mathbb{Q}_p$ is non-compact?
Let $\mathbb{Q}_p$ denote the $p$-adic integers. Let $V$ be a $\mathbb{Q}_p$-vector space and $Q : V \rightarrow \mathbb{Q}_p$ be a non-degenerate integral quadratic form. We say that the pair $(Q,V)$ ...
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1
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Doubt about lemma for polynomial equivalence [closed]
Multivariate polynomials $f,g$ are equivalent if there exists
invertible linear transformation $A$ such that $f(X)=g(A\cdot X)$
From paper p.1:
Lemma 1.1. (Structure of quadratic polynomials). Let $F$...
6
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3
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831
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Representation theorem for quadratic form on Hilbert space
I think my question is more suitable for Mathematics Stack Exchange than to MathOverflow but I've already posted two related questions there and I got even more confused, so maybe I can clarify things ...
2
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0
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192
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Maximal connected subgroup of orthogonal group
Let $(Q,V)$ be a quadratic space over an algebraically closed field $k$ with $\dim(V) \geq 3$
Define
$$ SO_Q:= \{ \sigma \in GL(V) : Q(\sigma v) = Q(v) \ \text{for all} \ v \in V \ \text{and} \det(\...
1
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0
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53
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Stabilizer group uniquely determines subspace
Let $(Q,V)$ be a quadratic space over an algebraically closed field $k$.
Let
$$ SO_Q(k):= \{ \sigma \in GL(V) : Q(\sigma v) = Q(v) \ \text{for all} \ v \in V \ \text{and} \det(\sigma) = 1 \}$$
Let $L \...
3
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1
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Close integer solutions to $ab-cd=1$?
I am looking for infinite set of Diophantine solutions.
Suppose we require
$$0<\min(a,d)<\max(a,d)<\min(b,c)<\max(b,c)\leq\sqrt 2\min(a,d)$$
$$a,b,c,d\in\mathbb Z$$
then can we still find ...
6
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1
answer
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Explicit computation of spinor norm
I've asked this on math.stackexchange, unsuccessfully. I hope this question is appropriate for mathoverflow.
Let $V$ be a finite-dimensional vector space over a field $K$ with $\operatorname{char}K\...
1
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0
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76
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On the image of a polynomial map modulo two distinct primes
Let $Q_0, Q_1, Q_2 \in \mathbb{Z}[x_0, x_1, x_2]$ be three non-singular ternary quadratic forms with integer coefficients. Let $T$ be a large real number, and let $p, q$ be two distinct primes having ...
1
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0
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How to solve a system of quadratic equations?
Suppose we have a system of $p$ quadratic equations about $\mathbf{x} \in \mathbb{R}^3$ and $\mathbf{x} > 0$
$$ \left\{
\begin{array}{lr}
\mathbf{x}^\top \mathbf{C}_1 \mathbf{x} = 1, ...
1
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1
answer
337
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Solving a pair of ternary quadratic form equations
Let $Q_1(x_0, x_1, x_2), Q_2(x_0, x_1, x_2) \in \mathbb{Z}[x_0, x_1, x_2]$ be two primitive, non-singular ternary quadratic forms (possibly indefinite). Suppose we want to solve the simultaneous ...
2
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0
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Projective group of Plucker quadric over the reals
A somewhat elementary question but seemingly difficult to find a suitable reference:
Consider the six-dimensional real space $\wedge^2(\mathbb R^4)$ with basis $e_i \wedge e_j \ (i < j)$ where $...
1
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0
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28
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Modified straightline complexity of almost square of sums
Assume every linear operation (such as inner product with constant vector) can be performed in one step and multiplication by variables (quadratic operation) can be performed in one step.
We know the ...
1
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0
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Necessary and sufficient condition for a prime to be represented by an arbitrary positive definite binary quadratic form $ax^2+bxy+cy^2$
Given an arbitrary (but fixed) positive definite primitive integral binary quadratic form $g(x, y)=ax^2+bxy+cy^2$, and let $m$ be an arbitrary integer. We will denote the discriminant of $g$ by $D=D_g=...
7
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1
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Is a 8-dimensional quadratic form recognized by its Lie algebra, modulo equivalence and scalar multiplication?
Question. Let $K$ be a field of characteristic zero (large characteristic should be fine too). Let $q,q'$ be two non-degenerate quadratic forms on $K^n$ with $n=8$. Suppose that the Lie algebras $\...
3
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1
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250
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Subring of quaternion algebra
I am following the book Introduction to Quadratic Forms over Fields by T. Y. Lam. In section VI.2, the author proves that, over an arbitrary local field $F$, there is a unique quaternion division ...
0
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0
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221
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Number of integer solutions to quadratic polynomial with integer coefficients
It is known from for example Representations of Integers as Sums of Squares by Grosswald, E. that
$$|\{(n_1,n_2,\ldots,n_k)\in\mathbb{Z}^k: \ n_1^2+n_2^2+\cdots+n_k^2=N\}|\leq C_\varepsilon N^{\frac{...
2
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1
answer
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Positivity of quadratic form minus linear form on the simplex
Let $a_{ij}$ be the elements of a $n$-dimensional covariance matrix. Can we prove the following?
$$ 1-\sum_{k=1}^n a_{ik} \lambda_k + \sum_{j=1}^n \sum_{k=1}^n \lambda_j a_{jk} \lambda_k > 0, \...
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0
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Maximizing quadratic forms
Consider the maximization problem
$$\text{maximize} \quad Q(x)= \sum_{i<j} \Big(\sum_{k} a_{ik}a_{jk}\Big) x_i x_j \quad \text{subject to} \quad \sum_{i}x_i^2=1,$$
and let $M$ be maximum value ...
2
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0
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111
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Inseparable field extensions of degree p and linear independence
Let $F$ be a field of characteristic $p$; let $\alpha \in F$ such that $\alpha \neq \beta^p$ for any $\beta \in F$, and let $K := F(x)$ where $x=\sqrt[p]{\alpha}$.
Is it true that the elements $1,(x-...
2
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0
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47
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Generalization of positive definiteness for a non-smooth quadratic form
I have a "quadratic form" defined as follows:
$$f(\vec x) = \sum_{i<j} c_{ij} x_i x_j + \sum_i a_i(x_i) x_i^2$$
where the coefficients $c_{ij}$ are fixed constants, but the coefficients $a_i(x_i)$...
0
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0
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113
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On question on quadratic forms in four variables
Let $F$ be a non-singular quadratic form in four variables and let $w: \mathbb{R}^4 \to \mathbb{R}$ be a non-negative compactly supported function satisfying certain suitable conditions. Set $$N(F,w,m)...
3
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1
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378
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On quadratic forms in four variables
Let $F$ be a non-singular integral quadratic form in four variables. Then a result of Heath-Brown from the 90's states for $m \to \infty$, $$|\{ x \in \mathbb{Z}^4 \,:\, F(x) = m \}| = C_F\sigma(F,m)m ...
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0
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Computing local residues of traces of bilinear forms on algebraic number fields
This is a question about computing the local residues of a general symmetric bilinear form over $\mathbb{Q}$. I've been using Lam's Introduction to Quadratic Forms as a reference, but I'm stuck on the ...
2
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1
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233
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Superlevel sets of a parametrized quadratic forms
Let $N$ be an odd integer, $n\in\mathbb{N}$, and $-\frac{2T}{NR^2}\leq a\leq0$ for given $R,T\in\mathbb{R}$ with $\frac{T}{NR^2}\leq\frac{\pi}{2}$.
Now consider the quadratic form $\Omega(a)=\sum_{l\...
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Number of representations by the norm in a division algebra corresponding to endomorphism rings of elliptic curves
Let $E$ be a supersingular curve over a field of characteristic $p$ with endomorphism ring $\mathcal O_D$ which is a maximal order in a division ring $D$ over $Q$ ramified at $p$ and $\infty$.
The ...
24
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2
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889
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Simple conjecture about rational orthogonal matrices and lattices
The following conjecture grew out of thinking about topological phases of matter. Despite being very elementary to state, it has evaded proof both by me and by everyone I've asked so far. The ...
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0
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150
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When does one quadratic form divide another?
Let $Q_1, Q_2$ be two quadratic forms with integer coefficients in 4 variables $x_1, x_2, x_3, x_4$, both non-singular and not proportional. For a positive number $X$, which we may assume to be large ...
4
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1
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how to prove an equation involving sums of Kronecker symbol
Let $p\equiv 8 \mod 9$ be a prime, I find the following equation:
$$2\sum_{\substack{0<x<p\\ 2|x}}\sum_{r|p^2-x^2}\left(\frac{-3}{r}\right)=p+1.$$
where $\left(\frac{-3}{r}\right)$ is the ...
5
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2
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What is $\mathbb{E} [\max_{\sigma \in \{ \pm 1\}^n} \sigma^T Z \sigma]$ for a random Gaussian matrix $Z$?
Given an $n \times n$ random matrix $\mathbf{Z}$ with each entry i.i.d. $\mathcal{N} (0,1)$, what is $\mathbb{E} [\max_{\sigma \in \{ \pm 1\}^n} \sigma^T Z \sigma]$ as $n \to \infty$? If this is too ...
0
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0
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Tensor product of preordered rings
All rings in this post are commutative, unital, and contain $\frac{1}{2}$.
To study "real" properties of a ring $R$, one is often interested in the orderings which exist on fraction fields of ...
6
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0
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211
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some problems on sum of two squares
During my experiments with "Mathematica" I arrived to the following observations. My question is that are they interesting, known, solved or not. If they are known could you please give me a reference....
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Matrices whose pairwise products form a basis
Over the vector space of 2x2 matrices, the Pauli matrices $I, X, Y, Z$ form a complete basis. Each of these matrices square to $I$, and with the additional relation that $Z = iXY$, we see that every ...
27
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3
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When does $axy+byz+czx$ represent all integers?
For which $a,b,c$ does $axy+byz+czx$ represent all integers?
In a recent answer, I conjectured that this holds whenever $\gcd(a,b,c)=1$, and I hope someone will know. I also conjectured that $axy+byz+...
6
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1
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The number of quadratic forms attaining Hermite's constant
$\require{AMScd}$
I'm considering minimum values (at non-zero integer points) of real, positive-definite, quadratic forms of determinant $1$. These are functions $f:\mathbb{R}^n\to \mathbb{R}$ which ...
0
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1
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Difference of two sums of two squares [closed]
Is there a way to prove that if n = (a^2 + b^2) - (c^2 + d^2), then for every natural n, there are infinitely many a, b, c and d?
5
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1
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applications of finding least quadratic nonresidue mod $p$?
I saw some papers from famous mathematicians (assuming GRH or without it) which are devoted to finding bound for least quadratic nonresidues modulo prime number $p$.
My question is that why it is so ...
2
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1
answer
391
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Representation of two related integers by the same binary quadratic form
Let $f(x,y) = ax^2 + bxy - cy^2$ be an indefinite, irreducible, and primitive binary quadratic form. That is, we have $\gcd(a,b,c) = 1$ and $\Delta(f) = b^2 - 4ac > 0$ and not equal to a square ...
5
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1
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150
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Evaluating a binary quadratic form at convergents
We use the notation
$$\displaystyle [a_0; a_1, \cdots, a_n] = a_0 + \cfrac{1}{a_1 + \cfrac{1}{\ddots + \cfrac{1}{a_n}}}$$
to denote a finite continued fraction, and for a given real number $\alpha$, ...
4
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2
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301
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Quadratic diophantine equations and geometry of numbers
Let (for concreteness) $a = 2$, $b = \sqrt{5}$ and $\varphi = (\sqrt{5}+1)/2$. I am interested in solutions $(w,x,y,z) \in \mathbb{Z}[\varphi]^4$ of the system
$$
w^2 - ax^2 -by^2 + abz^2 = 1
$$
$$
\...
0
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0
answers
181
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Topological vs algebraic intersection forms
Let $X$ be a simply connected complex projective surface (hence a real $4$-manifold). Let $(H^2(X,\mathbb Z)/\mathrm{tors}, q_X)$, $(A^1(X)/\mathrm{tors},q_X')$ be the corresponding lattices in ...
1
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0
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295
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Proper ideals are invertible
I am reading through Cox's book Primes of the form $x^2+ny^2$ and I am stuck with some proofs in Chapter 7 (I have the 2nd edition). There, the author presents the following Lemma:
Lemma 7.5: Let $...
3
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1
answer
330
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Strong Approximation for solutions to quadratic Diophantine equations
Can anyone either direct me to an relatively elementary proof in the literature--or show me why this (Conjecture 1 stated below) is true--or if I am mistaken and it is not true:
For any 4-tuple $\xi =...
7
votes
3
answers
706
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Integer positive definite quadratic form as a sum of squares
Let $A$ be a symmetric $d\times d$ matrix with integer entries such that the quadratic form $Q(x)=\langle Ax,x\rangle, x\in \mathbb{R}^d$, is non-negative definite. For which $d$ does it imply that $Q$...
3
votes
3
answers
590
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Solving diagonal simultaneous quadratic equations
A problem I am trying to solve has led to me to the following system of equations:
$$A(x^2) + Bx + c = 0$$
Where $A$ and $B$ are known matrices, $c$ is a known vector, $x$ is the vector of unknowns ...
1
vote
0
answers
104
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Norm quadrics and their motives
Let $k$ be a field of characteristic $\neq 2$ and $\langle\!\langle a_{1},\cdots,a_{n}\rangle\!\rangle$ a Pfister form over $k$. Denote by $Q_{\underline{a}}=Q_{a_{1},\cdots,a_{n}}$ the projective ...
10
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1
answer
346
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Is it possible for the Witt group of a scheme to have non-trivial odd torsion?
Let $F$ be a field of characteristic not $2$. A well-known theorem of Pfister asserts that the torsion of $W(F)$, the Witt group of $F$, is $2$-primary.
Baeza [B, V.6.3] extended this result to Witt ...