We present a simple and elementary procedure to sketch the tropical conic
given by a degree--two homogeneous tropical polynomial. These conics are trees
of a very particular kind. Given such a tree, we explain how to compute a
defining polynomial.
Finally, we characterize those degree--two tropical polynomials which are
reducible and factorize them. We show that there exist irreducible degree--two
tropical polynomials giving rise to pairs of tropical lines.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures. Major rewriting of formerly entitled paper
"Metric invariants of tropical conics and factorization of degree--two
homogeneous tropical polynomials in three variables". To appear in Idempotent
and tropical mathematics and problems of mathematical physics (vol. II), G.
Litvinov, V. Maslov, S. Sergeev (eds.), Proceedings Workshop, Moscow, 200
