Explicit Solution By Radicals, Gonal Maps and Plane Models of Algebraic Curves of Genus 5 or 6

We give explicit computational algorithms to construct minimal degree (always $\le 4$) ramified covers of \Prj^1 for algebraic curves of genus 5 and 6. This completes the work of Schicho and Sevilla (who dealt with the $g \le 4$ case) on constructing radical parametrisations of arbitrary genus $g$ curves. Zariski showed that this is impossible for the general curve of genus $\ge 7$. We also construct minimal degree birational plane models and show how the existence of degree 6 plane models for genus 6 curves is related to the gonality and geometric type of a certain auxiliary surface.Comment: v3: full version of the pape

On the convex hull of a space curve

The boundary of the convex hull of a compact algebraic curve in real 3-space defines a real algebraic surface. For general curves, that boundary surface is reducible, consisting of tritangent planes and a scroll of stationary bisecants. We express the degree of this surface in terms of the degree, genus and singularities of the curve. We present algorithms for computing their defining polynomials, and we exhibit a wide range of examples.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures, minor change

Rational plane curves parameterizable by conics

We introduce the class of rational plane curves parameterizable by conics as an extension of the family of curves parameterizable by lines (also known as monoid curves). We show that they are the image of monoid curves via suitable quadratic transformations in projective plane. We also describe all the possible proper parameterizations of them, and a set of minimal generators of the Rees Algebra associated to these parameterizations, extending well-known results for curves parameterizable by lines.Comment: 28 pages, 1 figure. Revised version. Accepted for publication in Journal of Algebr

Point counting on curves using a gonality preserving lift

We study the problem of lifting curves from finite fields to number fields in a genus and gonality preserving way. More precisely, we sketch how this can be done efficiently for curves of gonality at most four, with an in-depth treatment of curves of genus at most five over finite fields of odd characteristic, including an implementation in Magma. We then use such a lift as input to an algorithm due to the second author for computing zeta functions of curves over finite fields using $p$-adic cohomology

The 2-Hessian and sextactic points on plane algebraic curves

In an article from 1865, Arthur Cayley claims that given a plane algebraic curve there exists an associated 2-Hessian curve that intersects it in its sextactic points. In this paper we fix an error in Cayley's calculations and provide the correct defining polynomial for the 2-Hessian. In addition, we present a formula for the number of sextactic points on cuspidal curves and tie this formula to the 2-Hessian. Lastly, we consider the special case of rational curves, where the sextactic points appear as zeros of the Wronski determinant of the 2nd Veronese embedding of the curve.Comment: Updated version to be published in Mathematica Scandinavica. Substantially rewritten, but with essential results unchanged. Contains results from first author's master's thesis. 21 pages, 2 figure

First Steps Towards Radical Parametrization of Algebraic Surfaces

We introduce the notion of radical parametrization of a surface, and we provide algorithms to compute such type of parametrizations for families of surfaces, like: Fermat surfaces, surfaces with a high multiplicity (at least the degree minus 4) singularity, all irreducible surfaces of degree at most 5, all irreducible singular surfaces of degree 6, and surfaces containing a pencil of low-genus curves. In addition, we prove that radical parametrizations are preserved under certain type of geometric constructions that include offset and conchoids.Comment: 31 pages, 7 color figures. v2: added another case of genus