1,883 research outputs found
Algorithms in algebraic number theory
In this paper we discuss the basic problems of algorithmic algebraic number
theory. The emphasis is on aspects that are of interest from a purely
mathematical point of view, and practical issues are largely disregarded. We
describe what has been done and, more importantly, what remains to be done in
the area. We hope to show that the study of algorithms not only increases our
understanding of algebraic number fields but also stimulates our curiosity
about them. The discussion is concentrated of three topics: the determination
of Galois groups, the determination of the ring of integers of an algebraic
number field, and the computation of the group of units and the class group of
that ring of integers.Comment: 34 page
Computational Arithmetic Geometry I: Sentences Nearly in the Polynomial Hierarchy
We consider the average-case complexity of some otherwise undecidable or open
Diophantine problems. More precisely, consider the following: (I) Given a
polynomial f in Z[v,x,y], decide the sentence \exists v \forall x \exists y
f(v,x,y)=0, with all three quantifiers ranging over N (or Z). (II) Given
polynomials f_1,...,f_m in Z[x_1,...,x_n] with m>=n, decide if there is a
rational solution to f_1=...=f_m=0. We show that, for almost all inputs,
problem (I) can be done within coNP. The decidability of problem (I), over N
and Z, was previously unknown. We also show that the Generalized Riemann
Hypothesis (GRH) implies that, for almost all inputs, problem (II) can be done
via within the complexity class PP^{NP^NP}, i.e., within the third level of the
polynomial hierarchy. The decidability of problem (II), even in the case m=n=2,
remains open in general.
Along the way, we prove results relating polynomial system solving over C, Q,
and Z/pZ. We also prove a result on Galois groups associated to sparse
polynomial systems which may be of independent interest. A practical
observation is that the aforementioned Diophantine problems should perhaps be
avoided in the construction of crypto-systems.Comment: Slight revision of final journal version of an extended abstract
which appeared in STOC 1999. This version includes significant corrections
and improvements to various asymptotic bounds. Needs cjour.cls to compil
A computer algebra user interface manifesto
Many computer algebra systems have more than 1000 built-in functions, making
expertise difficult. Using mock dialog boxes, this article describes a proposed
interactive general-purpose wizard for organizing optional transformations and
allowing easy fine grain control over the form of the result even by amateurs.
This wizard integrates ideas including:
* flexible subexpression selection;
* complete control over the ordering of variables and commutative operands,
with well-chosen defaults;
* interleaving the choice of successively less main variables with applicable
function choices to provide detailed control without incurring a combinatorial
number of applicable alternatives at any one level;
* quick applicability tests to reduce the listing of inapplicable
transformations;
* using an organizing principle to order the alternatives in a helpful
manner;
* labeling quickly-computed alternatives in dialog boxes with a preview of
their results,
* using ellipsis elisions if necessary or helpful;
* allowing the user to retreat from a sequence of choices to explore other
branches of the tree of alternatives or to return quickly to branches already
visited;
* allowing the user to accumulate more than one of the alternative forms;
* integrating direct manipulation into the wizard; and
* supporting not only the usual input-result pair mode, but also the useful
alternative derivational and in situ replacement modes in a unified window.Comment: 38 pages, 12 figures, to be published in Communications in Computer
Algebr
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