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Discriminant

Syntax

Discriminant(F:POLY):POLY
Discriminant(F:POLY, X:INDET):POLY
    

Summary

the discriminant of a polynomial

Description

This function computes the discriminant of a polynomial F (with respect to a given indeterminate X, if the polynomial is multivariate). If the polynomial is univariate then there is no need to specify which indeterminate to use.

The discriminant is defined to be the resultant of F and its derivative with respect to X.

example

    
Use R ::= Q[x,y];
Discriminant(x^2+3y^2, x);
12y^2
-------------------------------
Discriminant(x^2+3y^2, y);
36x^2
-------------------------------
Discriminant((x+1)^20+2);
54975581388800000000000000000000
-------------------------------
        
    

See Also