On mixed multiplicities of ideals

Let R be the local ring of a point on a variety X over an algebraically closed field k. We make a connection between the notion of mixed (Samuel) multiplicity of m-primary ideals in R and intersection theory of subspaces of rational functions on X which deals with the number of solutions of systems of equations. From this we readily deduce several properties of mixed multiplicities. In particular, we prove a (reverse) Alexandrov-Fenchel inequality for mixed multiplicities due to Teissier and Rees-Sharp. As an application in convex geometry we obtain a proof of a (reverse) Alexandrov-Fenchel inequality for covolumes of convex bodies inscribed in a convex cone.Comment: Minor corrections: a reference to a paper of B. Teissier added and reference to results of B. Teissier and Rees-Sharp in the introduction correcte

Mixed volume and an extension of intersection theory of divisors

Let K(X) be the collection of all non-zero finite dimensional subspaces of rational functions on an n-dimensional irreducible variety X. For any n-tuple L_1,..., L_n in K(X), we define an intersection index [L_1,..., L_n] as the number of solutions in X of a system of equations f_1 = ... = f_n = 0 where each f_i is a generic function from the space L_i. In counting the solutions, we neglect the solutions x at which all the functions in some space L_i vanish as well as the solutions at which at least one function from some subspace L_i has a pole. The collection K(X) is a commutative semigroup with respect to a natural multiplication. The intersection index [L_1,..., L_n] can be extended to the Grothendieck group of K(X). This gives an extension of the intersection theory of divisors. The extended theory is applicable even to non-complete varieties. We show that this intersection index enjoys all the main properties of the mixed volume of convex bodies. Our paper is inspired by the Bernstein-Kushnirenko theorem from the Newton polytope theory.Comment: 31 pages. To appear in Moscow Mathematical Journa

Euler characteristic of coherent sheaves on simplicial torics via the Stanley-Reisner ring

We combine work of Cox on the total coordinate ring of a toric variety and results of Eisenbud-Mustata-Stillman and Mustata on cohomology of toric and monomial ideals to obtain a formula for computing the Euler characteristic of a Weil divisor D on a complete simplicial toric variety in terms of graded pieces of the Cox ring and Stanley-Reisner ring. The main point is to use Alexander duality to pass from the toric irrelevant ideal, which appears in the computation of the Euler characteristic of D, to the Stanley-Reisner ideal of the fan, which is used in defining the Chow ring. The formula also follows from work of Maclagan-Smith.Comment: 9 pages 1 figur