Questions tagged [semialgebraic-geometry]
Semialgebraic geometry is the study of inequalities expressible in algebraic functions in one or several variables, usually over the real numbers or some field with similar properties.
41 questions
3
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1
answer
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Bounding distance to an intersection of semialgebraic sets
As a continuation of my recent question " Bounding distance to an intersection of polyhedra ", I would like to pose a similar question about semialgebraic sets. Namely, given any two ...
2
votes
1
answer
147
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Are there polytopes with precisely two realizations?
A convex polytope is projectively unique if it has a unique realization up to projective transformations. Such polytopes are somewhat mysterious but still well-studied. Examples are simplices, the ...
1
vote
1
answer
104
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Dimension and cardinality of fibers over the real numbers
If $X \subseteq \mathbb{C}^n$ and $Y \subseteq \mathbb{C}^m$ are irreducible affine varieties, and $f : X \to Y$ is a dominant polynomial map, then we know that (every irreducible component of) the ...
5
votes
0
answers
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If a subset $X$ of a $C^k$ manifold $M$ is semialgebraic in the charts of $M$, is it Whitney stratifiable?
Let $M$ be a $C^k$ manifold for some $k\geq 1$ and $X$ be a subset of $M$.
Assume that there is an atlas of charts $(\phi_\alpha, U_\alpha)_\alpha$ of $M$ such that in the coordinates of each of these ...
0
votes
0
answers
83
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Feasibility of a polynomial system of equalities and inequalities
Consider a system of the form $f_i(x) = 0$ and $g_j(x) \ge 0$ ,where $f_i,i=1,\dots,r$ and $g_j,j=1,\dots,s$ are polynomials in real unknowns $x_i,i=1,\dots,n$ with rational coefficients.
Is there a ...
4
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0
answers
117
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Writing the $\ell^{p/(p-1)}$ unit sphere as a semi-algebraic set for $p\in\Bbb N$
The $\ell^p$ unit sphere $\{x\in\Bbb R^n\mid |x_1|^p+\cdots+|x_n|^p=1\}$ with $p\in\Bbb N$ is a semi-algebraic set, and its polar dual is
$$(*)\quad \{x\in\Bbb R^n\mid |x_1|^q+\cdots +|x_n|^q=1\},$$
...
14
votes
2
answers
635
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Tarski-Seidenberg for strict inequalities and bounded quantification
This theorem says that quantifiers over real variables can be eliminated from classical first order formulae built from equations and inequalities between polynomials with rational coefficients, ie in ...
2
votes
0
answers
181
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An application of Tarski-Seidenberg Theorem
I am reading the paper "A. D. Ioffe, An invitation to tame optimization, SIAM J. Optim., 19 (2009), 1894–1917" and stuck at Proposition 3.1. The author claims (in the language of semi-...
9
votes
0
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289
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Computer algebra tools for finding real dimension of an algebraic variety
I have a system of polynomial equations with the unknowns being real numbers. The set of solutions is infinite. What software can I use to compute the real dimension of the solution set?
The CAD-based ...
2
votes
1
answer
108
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Is the polar dual of a semi-algebraic convex body also semi-algebraic?
Call a convex body $C\subset\Bbb R^n$ semi-algebraic if it can be written as
$$(*)\quad C=\bigcap_{i\in I}\, \{x\in \Bbb R^n\mid p_i(x)\le 0\}$$
with polynomials $p_i\in\Bbb R[X_1,...,X_n]$ and a ...
9
votes
1
answer
264
views
Projections of compact real algebraic sets
Suppose that $M$ is a compact, real
algebraic subset of $\mathbb R^n$ and $f:\mathbb R^n \to \mathbb R^m$ is the projection to the first $m$ coordinates. If $f$ maps $M$ bijectively unto its image $f(...
2
votes
0
answers
174
views
Certificates of connectivity of basic semi-algebraic sets
Given real polynomials $p_1, \ldots, p_n \in {\mathbb R}[x_1, \ldots, x_d]$, consider the closed basic semi-algebraic set $S \subseteq {\mathbb R}^d$ given by $$S := \{x \in {\mathbb R}^d : p_i(x) \...
6
votes
1
answer
425
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Homotopy equivalence of stably equivalent semialgebraic sets
In his book [1], Richter-Gebert introduces a notion of stable
equivalence for primary basic semialgebraic sets (subsets of
$\mathbb{R}^n$ defined by a conjunction of polynomial equations
and strict ...
2
votes
0
answers
194
views
Examples of semi-abelian schemes over a curve
Let $C$ be a nice curve, i.e. $C$ is a smooth, projective, geometrically integral scheme of dimension $1$ over a field $k$. For example, (assuming the characteristic of $k$ is neither 2 or 3) an ...
3
votes
0
answers
142
views
What are the possible asymptotics of the measure of a parametrised semialgebraic set?
Consider a family of semialgebraic sets $S_t \subset \mathbb{R}^d$ ($t \in [0,1]$) of the form
$$ S_t = \{ x \in \mathbb{R}^d \ : \ p_1(x,t) \geq 0,\ p_2(x,t) \geq 0, \dots, p_m(x,t) \geq 0 \} $$
...
7
votes
1
answer
263
views
Lower convex envelope of polynomial functions
Let $P\in{\mathbb R}[X]$ be a polynomial and $[a,b]$ be a bounded interval. Of course, the graph of $P$ is an algebraic set. I am interested in the lower convex envelope $\bar P$ of $P|_{[a,b]}$. It ...
6
votes
1
answer
256
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Constructing M-curves à la Hilbert
I have been reading some text about Harnack's theorem. The theorem basically says that for degree $d$, the maximal number of connected components in the real (projective) plane of a plane curve with ...
2
votes
0
answers
172
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Representations in Archimedean quadratic modules
Let $\mathbb R [X] = \mathbb R [X_1,\dots,X_n]$ and $\Sigma[X] = \big\{ \, f \in \mathbb R[X] \mid \exists r \in \mathbb N, \ g_i \in \mathbb R[X] \colon f = g_1^2 + \dots + g_r^2 \,\big\}$ denote ...
7
votes
1
answer
749
views
General Tarski-Seidenberg Theorem
The Tarski-Seidenberg Theorem states that the polynomial image of a semi-algebraic set is semi-algebraic. A semi-algebraic subset of a Euclidean space $\Bbb{R}^n$ is by definition a finite union of ...
6
votes
1
answer
356
views
On strict positivity and Schmüdgen's Positivstellensatz
Schmüdgen's Positivstellensatz requires the polynomial to be strictly positive on a semialgebraic set. While trying to understand it, I am just wondering if the strictly positive condition can be ...
1
vote
0
answers
35
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Convex combination of semi-algebraic sets
Suppose we are given two semi-algebraic sets $S_1$ and $S_2$. Define
$$
S=\{s=ps_1+(1-p)s_2: s_1\in S_1, s_2\in S_2, 0\leq p\leq 1.\}
$$
$S$ is semi-algebraic.
Can we bound the degree of $S$?
If we ...
1
vote
2
answers
396
views
Complex semi-algebraic sets
Definition. A subset $S$ of $\mathbb{R}^n$ is called semi-algebraic if $S$ is a finite Boolean combination of sets of the form $\{ x \in \mathbb{R}^n \mid p(x) \ge 0\}$, where $p \in \mathbb{R}[x]$.
...
10
votes
2
answers
224
views
The set of polytopes with given $f$-vector
Let $f=(f_0,\ldots f_n)$ be a vector in $\Bbb N^{n+1}$. Let $X$ be the set of all (ordered) $f_0$-tuples in $\Bbb R^n$ whose convex hull has $f$ as its $f$-vector. Assume that $X$ is non-empty. Is ...
4
votes
1
answer
323
views
Solutions to a system of homogeneous equations (inequalities)
Let $f_1,\ldots,f_r \in \mathbb{R}[x_1,\ldots,x_n]$ be $r$ homogeneous polynomials of the same odd degree $d$, where $d \in \{3,5,7,\ldots\}$.
For which values of $r,n,d$ there exists a real ...
13
votes
1
answer
339
views
First order decidability of limit of gradient flow?
Let $f: \mathbb{R}^n\to\mathbb{R}$ be a polynomial function, and let $p$ be a critical point. Consider the ascending manifold $A_p$ consisting of all points whose limit under the gradient flow of $f$ ...
12
votes
2
answers
742
views
Polynomials that preserve nonnegativity
A polynomial $p \in \mathbb{R}[x_1,\dots,x_n]$ is said to be positive on a subset $S$ of $\mathbb{R}^n$ if $p(x) > 0$ for every $x \in S$. The polynomial $p$ is called nonnegative if $p(x) \ge 0$ ...
4
votes
1
answer
155
views
Semialgebraic sets containing irrational power functions
Let $\alpha$ be an irrational number, and consider the set $A=\{(x,x^\alpha),x\ge 0\}\subseteq \mathbb{R}^2$, which is the graph of the function $f(x)=x^\alpha$.
I'm trying to prove/disprove the ...
2
votes
0
answers
117
views
Classification of $n$-dimensional Nash-submanifolds of $\mathbb{R}^n$
Let $M,N\subset \mathbb{R}^n$ be two open semi-algebraic subsets, and assume that $M$ and $N$ are $C^\infty$ diffeomorphic, i.e. isomorphic as smooth submanifolds of $\mathbb{R}^n$. Does this imply ...
7
votes
1
answer
242
views
Do convex closed semialgebraic hyperplane cross-sections imply semi-algebraicity?
Let $S\subset\mathbb{R}^n$, with $n\geq 3$, such that for any hyperplane $L$ one has $L\cap S$ closed, semialgebraic, and convex. Is it true that $S$ itself is semialgebraic?
A colleague explained to ...
3
votes
0
answers
94
views
Constraints on cone of semialgebraic set
Let $S$ be a (basic) semialgebraic set, for which we know the constraints (i.e. we know the polynomial inequalities and equalities which define the set). Is it necessarily the case that the cone $C = \...
4
votes
2
answers
533
views
Is a spectrahedron's boundary almost always "smooth"?
A spectrahedron is a convex set defined by a linear matrix inequality (LMI).
Is the boundary of such a set almost always smooth?
By "smooth" I mean that it admits a tangent hyperplane at any point ...
5
votes
1
answer
169
views
Connectedness of semialgebraic sets via CAD
I do not know whether there is a standard or some traditional ways to decide whether a semialgebraic set is connected or not.
One way I know is the cylindrical algebraic decomposition (CAD) algorithm. ...
6
votes
0
answers
273
views
Where do I read about semi-algebraic/analytic sets?
What's a good introduction to semi-algebraic/semi-analytic sets?
I'm coming from algebraic geometry, so ideally I'd prefer material that has a similar point of view and highlights analogies.
I've ...
0
votes
0
answers
100
views
Cross sections of semialgebric sets
Let $n$ be bigger than two, and let $A$ be a subset of the $n$-dimensional Euclidean space.
Suppose that the intersection of $A$ with any $(n-1)$-dimensional affine hyperplane is semialgebraic.
...
8
votes
1
answer
243
views
Do semialgebraic sets depend outer semicontinuously on their defining polynomials?
Consider a compact (semialgebraic) ball $B\subset \mathbb{R}^n$ and a semialgebraic set $A=A(f_1,\cdots,f_s)\subset \mathbb{R}^n$ defined through some representation in terms of polynomials $f_1,\...
11
votes
2
answers
418
views
Convexity of a certain sublevel set
Consider the polynomial of degree $4$ in variable $r$
$$ r^4 + (x^2 + y^2)\ r^2 - 2 x y\ r + x^2 y^2 $$
The discriminant of this polynomial in $r$ is the following expression
(obtained using ...
7
votes
0
answers
214
views
Moduli in semialgebraic geometry
Is there a moduli space in semialgebraic geometry analogous to the Hilbert scheme in algebraic geometry?
The sort of thing I am imagining is an object in a category of semischemes:
Ordinary schemes ...
5
votes
1
answer
330
views
Compactness of a semi algebraic set
Suppose I have a polynomial $p\in R[x_1,\ldots,x_n]$ and I look at the set $S:=\{ x\in R^n : p(x)\geq 0\}$. Are there algebraic certificates on $p$ that will certify that $S$ is compact?
5
votes
1
answer
298
views
Convexity of a specific semialgebraic set
I have an engineering problem that may be solved using semidefinite programming. I would like to know whether a given set is convex.
Let $m \in \mathbb{R}^+$ be a positive real scalar, $l \in \mathbb{...
4
votes
1
answer
183
views
Ultrafilters on the set of semialgebraic subsets of R^2
Let $R$ be a real closed field and $f: R \to R$ a map. Then let $\textrm{F}(f)$ be the set of semialgebraic subsets of $R^2$, which contain $(t,f(t))$ for all $0< t< \epsilon$ for some $\epsilon ...
1
vote
1
answer
262
views
Is the closure of a semialgebraic set mod 1 also semialgebraic?
Let $p:\mathbb{R}^n\to[0,1)^n$ be the map defined by $p(x_1,\ldots,x_n)=(\{x_1\},\ldots,\{x_n\})$, where $\{\cdot\}$ is the fractional part operator. Experimentation suggests that if $S \subseteq \...