
doi: 10.1007/bf01389181
Let F denote a field of characteristic not two, and W(F) the Witt ring of classes of nondegenerate symmetric bilinear forms over F. It has been known since the definition of W(F) [\textit{E. Witt}, J. Reine Angew. Math. 176, 31-44 (1936; Zbl 0015.05701)] that W(F) is an integral extension of \({\mathbb{Z}}\). In this paper the author finds explicit monic polynomials in \({\mathbb{Z}}[x]\) that annihilate the classes of all forms of a fixed dimension: Thus, for n even, let \(p_ n(x)=x(x^ 2-2^ 2)(x^ 2-4^ 2)...(x^ 2-n^ 2)\) for n odd, let \(p_ n(x)=(x^ 2-1^ 2)(x^ 2- 3^ 2)...(x^ 2-n^ 2).\) Then, if f denotes a nondegenerate symmetric bilinear form of dimension n, and \(\bar f\) its class in W(F), then \(p_ n(\bar f)=0\). Other polynomials, \(t_ n\), in \({\mathbb{Z}}[x]\), are also given, with \(t_ n(\bar f)=0\), if f has determinant 1. Finally, if \(\bar f\) is in \(I^ n\), where I denotes the so-called fundamental ideal of even dimensional forms, a polynomial in \({\mathbb{Z}}[x]\) annihilating \(\bar f\) is determined.
monic polynomials, 510.mathematics, General binary quadratic forms, integral extension, Witt ring, characteristic not two, symmetric bilinear forms, fundamental ideal, Quadratic forms over general fields, Article
monic polynomials, 510.mathematics, General binary quadratic forms, integral extension, Witt ring, characteristic not two, symmetric bilinear forms, fundamental ideal, Quadratic forms over general fields, Article
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