| 
 
 
 | 
| 
            Let  | 
      Let  be an effective field and consider an
      algebra
 be an effective field and consider an
      algebra  where
 where  is a
      finitely generated ideal. For actual computations in
 is a
      finitely generated ideal. For actual computations in  , we have three main tasks:
, we have three main tasks:
    
            define a non-ambiguous representation for elements in  ;
;
          
            design a multiplication algorithm for  ;
;
          
            show how to convert between different representations for elements
            in  .
.
          
Fast polynomial arithmetic based on FFT-multiplication allows for a quasi-optimal solution in the univariate case. However, reduction modulo an ideal of multivariate polynomials is non-trivial.
The most common approach for computations modulo ideals of polynomials is based on Gröbner bases. This immediately solves the first task, using the fact that any polynomial admits a unique normal form modulo a given Gröbner basis [4]. The second task is solved by reducing the product of two polynomials modulo the Gröbner basis. Finally, given a Gröbner basis with respect to a first term ordering, one may use the FGLM algorithm [9] to compute a reduced Gröbner basis with respect to a second term ordering; algorithms for the corresponding conversions are obtained as a by-product.
      There is an abundant literature on efficient algorithms for the
      computation of Gröbner bases; see for example [7, 8, 9] and references therein. Although the worst
      case complexity is known to be very bad [23], polynomial
      complexity bounds (for the number of operations in  in terms of the expected output size) exist for many important cases of
      interest. For example, for fixed
      in terms of the expected output size) exist for many important cases of
      interest. For example, for fixed  ,
      and using naive linear algebra on Macaulay matrices, one may show [22, 14, 15] that a sufficiently
      regular system of
,
      and using naive linear algebra on Macaulay matrices, one may show [22, 14, 15] that a sufficiently
      regular system of  equations of degree
 equations of degree  can be solved in time
 can be solved in time  .
      Here
.
      Here  is the exponent of matrix multiplication
      [11]. For such a system, the Bezout bound
 is the exponent of matrix multiplication
      [11]. For such a system, the Bezout bound  for the number
      for the number  of solutions is reached, so the
      running time
 of solutions is reached, so the
      running time  is polynomial in the expected
      output size
 is polynomial in the expected
      output size  . The implicit
      dependency of this bound on
. The implicit
      dependency of this bound on  can be improved by
      using the “matrix-F5” variant [2] of
      Faugère's F5 algorithm [8].
 can be improved by
      using the “matrix-F5” variant [2] of
      Faugère's F5 algorithm [8].
    
      The F5 algorithm and all other currently known fast algorithms for
      Gröbner basis computations rely on linear algebra. At this point,
      one may wonder whether there is an intrinsic reason for this fact, or
      whether fast FFT-based arithmetic might be used to accelerate
      Gröbner basis computations. Instead of directly addressing this
      difficult problem, one may investigate whether such accelerations are
      possible for simpler problems in this area. One good candidate for such
      a problem is the reduction of a polynomial  with
      respect to a fixed reduced Gröbner basis
 with
      respect to a fixed reduced Gröbner basis  . In that case, the algebra
. In that case, the algebra  is given once and for all, so it becomes a matter of precomputation to
      obtain
      is given once and for all, so it becomes a matter of precomputation to
      obtain  and any other data that could be useful
      for efficient reductions modulo
 and any other data that could be useful
      for efficient reductions modulo  .
.
    
      One step in this direction was made in [20]. Using relaxed
      multiplication [19], it was shown that the reduction of
       with respect to
 with respect to  can be
      computed in quasi-linear time in terms of the size of the equation
 can be
      computed in quasi-linear time in terms of the size of the equation  . However, even in the case of
      bivariate polynomials, this is not necessarily optimal. In order to see
      the reason for this, consider
. However, even in the case of
      bivariate polynomials, this is not necessarily optimal. In order to see
      the reason for this, consider  ,
      where
,
      where  is the ideal generated by two generic
      polynomials of total degree
 is the ideal generated by two generic
      polynomials of total degree  .
      Then
.
      Then  , but the Gröbner
      basis for
, but the Gröbner
      basis for  with respect the usual total degree
      ordering contains
 with respect the usual total degree
      ordering contains  polynomials with
 polynomials with  coefficients. This means that we need
 coefficients. This means that we need  space, merely to write down
      space, merely to write down  .
      One crucial prerequisite for even faster algorithms is therefore to
      design a terser representation for Gröbner bases.
.
      One crucial prerequisite for even faster algorithms is therefore to
      design a terser representation for Gröbner bases.
    
The main aim of this paper is to show that it is actually possible to perform polynomial reductions in quasi-linear time in some very specific cases. For simplicity, we will restrict our attention to bivariate polynomials and to ideals that satisfy suitable regularity conditions. Because of all these precautions, we do not expect our algorithms to be very useful for practical purposes, but rather regard our work as a “proof of concept” that quasi-linear complexities are not deemed impossible to achieve in this context.
      More precisely, with  as above, our main results
      are as follows. We first introduce the concept of a “vanilla
      Gröbner basis” that captures the regularity assumptions that
      are needed for our algorithms. Modulo potentially expensive
      precomputations, we then present a more compact description of such a
      Gröbner basis
 as above, our main results
      are as follows. We first introduce the concept of a “vanilla
      Gröbner basis” that captures the regularity assumptions that
      are needed for our algorithms. Modulo potentially expensive
      precomputations, we then present a more compact description of such a
      Gröbner basis  that holds all necessary
      information in
 that holds all necessary
      information in  space. We next give an algorithm
      for reducing a bivariate polynomial of total degree
 space. We next give an algorithm
      for reducing a bivariate polynomial of total degree  with respect to
      with respect to  in quasi-linear time
 in quasi-linear time  . In particular, multiplication in
. In particular, multiplication in
       can be done in time
 can be done in time  , which is intrinsically quasi-optimal. We also
      present an algorithm to convert between normal forms with respect to
      vanilla Gröbner bases for different monomial orderings. This
      algorithm is based on a Gröbner walk [6] with at most
, which is intrinsically quasi-optimal. We also
      present an algorithm to convert between normal forms with respect to
      vanilla Gröbner bases for different monomial orderings. This
      algorithm is based on a Gröbner walk [6] with at most
       intermediate monomial orderings; its complexity
 intermediate monomial orderings; its complexity
       is again quasi-optimal.
 is again quasi-optimal.
    
      It is instructive to compare these complexity bounds with the
      complexities of naive algorithms that are commonly implemented in
      computer algebra systems. For multiplications in  , one may precompute the
, one may precompute the  matrix that allows us to obtain the reduction of a product of two normal
      forms using a matrix-vector product of cost
      matrix that allows us to obtain the reduction of a product of two normal
      forms using a matrix-vector product of cost  . Since the product of two normal forms can be
      computed in quasi-linear time
. Since the product of two normal forms can be
      computed in quasi-linear time  ,
      it follows that multiplications in
,
      it follows that multiplications in  take time
 take time
       . Similarly, changes of
      monomial orderings lead to
. Similarly, changes of
      monomial orderings lead to  -matrices
      for representing the corresponding base changes. Naive conversions can
      then be performed in time
-matrices
      for representing the corresponding base changes. Naive conversions can
      then be performed in time  .
.
    
      As a final remark, we notice that geometric methods provide an
      alternative to Gröbner basis techniques for the resolution of
      polynomial systems and computations in quotient algebras  . Examples include the Kronecker solver [16] and Rouillier's RUR [25]. Such algorithms are
      often faster from a complexity point of view, but essentially only work
      for bases that correspond to lexicographical orders in the Gröbner
      basis setting. A similar remark applies to the elimination method by
      Auzinger-Stetter [1]
. Examples include the Kronecker solver [16] and Rouillier's RUR [25]. Such algorithms are
      often faster from a complexity point of view, but essentially only work
      for bases that correspond to lexicographical orders in the Gröbner
      basis setting. A similar remark applies to the elimination method by
      Auzinger-Stetter [1]
    
      Notations and terminology. We assume that the
      reader is familiar with the theory of Gröbner basis and refer to
      [12, 3] for basic expositions. We denote the
      set of monomials in  variables by
 variables by  . A monomial ordering
. A monomial ordering  on
 on  is a total ordering that
      is compatible with multiplication. Given a polynomial in
 is a total ordering that
      is compatible with multiplication. Given a polynomial in  variables
 variables  , its
      support
, its
      support  is the set of monomials
 is the set of monomials  with
 with  . If
. If
       , then
, then  admits a maximal element for
      admits a maximal element for  that is called its
      leading monomial and that we denote by
 that is called its
      leading monomial and that we denote by  . If
. If  ,
      then we say that
,
      then we say that  is a term in
 is a term in  . Given a tuple
. Given a tuple  of polynomials in
      of polynomials in  , we say
      that
, we say
      that  is reduced with respect to
 is reduced with respect to  if
 if  contains no monomial that
      is a multiple of the leading monomial of one of the
 contains no monomial that
      is a multiple of the leading monomial of one of the  .
.
    
      Unless stated otherwise, we will always work in the bivariate setting
      when  , and use
, and use  and
 and  as our main indeterminates
      instead of
 as our main indeterminates
      instead of  and
 and  .
      In particular,
.
      In particular,  .
.
    
Acknowledgements. We thank the anonymous referees for their detailed comments and suggestions. We are aware that an example would be helpful for the intuition, unfortunately we were not able to give one because of the space constraints. Moreover, the reader should notice that a meaningful example cannot have a very small degree (say, at least 10), and that our setting requires non-structured dense polynomials, so that writing them down explicitly would hardly be readable.
      Consider a zero-dimensional ideal  of
 of  with Gröbner basis
 with Gröbner basis  with
      respect to a given monomial ordering
 with
      respect to a given monomial ordering  .
      We define the degree
.
      We define the degree  of
 of  to be the dimension of the quotient
 to be the dimension of the quotient  as a
      as a  -vector space. Our
      algorithms will only work for a special class of Gröbner bases with
      suitable regularity properties. For a generic ideal in the space of all
      zero-dimensional ideals with fixed degree
-vector space. Our
      algorithms will only work for a special class of Gröbner bases with
      suitable regularity properties. For a generic ideal in the space of all
      zero-dimensional ideals with fixed degree  ,
      we expect that these properties are always satisfied, although we have
      not proved this yet. For the time being, we define a vanilla
      Gröbner basis to be the Gröbner basis of an ideal of this
      type.
,
      we expect that these properties are always satisfied, although we have
      not proved this yet. For the time being, we define a vanilla
      Gröbner basis to be the Gröbner basis of an ideal of this
      type.
    
General monomial orderings that are suitable for Gröbner basis computations have been classified in [24]. For the purpose of this paper, it is convenient to restrict our attention to a specific type of bivariate monomial ordering that will allow us to explicitly describe certain Gröbner stairs and to explicitly compute certain dimensions.
         . We define
        the
. We define
        the  -degree
        of a monomial
-degree
        of a monomial  with
 with  by
        by
      
 
        
        We define the  -order
        to be the monomial order
-order
        to be the monomial order  such that
 such that
      
 
        
      The  -order
-order  is also known as the weighed degree lexicographic order for the weight
      vector
      is also known as the weighed degree lexicographic order for the weight
      vector  . Similarly,
. Similarly,  corresponds to the usual total degree order.
 corresponds to the usual total degree order.
    
      Consider a zero-dimensional ideal  of
 of  of degree
 of degree  with Gröbner basis
 with Gröbner basis
       with respect to
 with respect to  .
      Let
.
      Let  be the set of monomials
 be the set of monomials  that are in normal form with respect to
      that are in normal form with respect to  .
      In other words,
.
      In other words,  corresponds to the set of
 corresponds to the set of  monomials “under the Gröbner
      stairs”. For a sufficiently generic ideal of degree
 monomials “under the Gröbner
      stairs”. For a sufficiently generic ideal of degree  , we expect
, we expect  to consist
      exactly of the smallest
 to consist
      exactly of the smallest  elements of
 elements of  with respect to
 with respect to  .
.
    
         form a
        vanilla Gröbner stairs if
 form a
        vanilla Gröbner stairs if  coincides with the set
        coincides with the set  of the
 of the  smallest elements of
        smallest elements of  for
 for  .
.
      
      Figure
      1
      shows an example of a Gröbner basis whose leading monomials form a
      vanilla Gröbner stairs. We observe that the stair admits almost
      constant slope
       .
      In fact, the set
.
      In fact, the set
       can be described explicitly:
      can be described explicitly:
      
         be an ideal of
        degree
 be an ideal of
        degree  with Gröbner basis
 with Gröbner basis  for
 for  with
 with  . Assume that the leading monomials of
. Assume that the leading monomials of  form a vanilla Gröbner stairs and define
 form a vanilla Gröbner stairs and define
      
 
        
        Then  has
 has  elements
 elements
         and for
 and for  ,
        the leading monomial of
,
        the leading monomial of  (denoted by
 (denoted by  ) can be expressed in terms of
) can be expressed in terms of
         . Assuming the basis
        elements are ordered such that the
. Assuming the basis
        elements are ordered such that the  's
        have increasing degree in the variable
's
        have increasing degree in the variable  ,
        we have:
,
        we have:
      
               .
.
            
              For all  ,
,  .
.
            
              For all  ,
,  .
.
            
      Proof. With this expression of  , we first notice that this sequence
, we first notice that this sequence  can indeed be the leading monomials for a reduced
      Gröbner basis, that is
 can indeed be the leading monomials for a reduced
      Gröbner basis, that is  does not divide
 does not divide  for any
 for any  .
      This is clear for
.
      This is clear for  , so let us
      prove that
, so let us
      prove that  does not divide
 does not divide  . We have
. We have  with
 with  , so that
, so that
    
 
    
      In particular, this implies  ,
      whence
,
      whence  or
 or  .
      Remains to prove that the sequence
.
      Remains to prove that the sequence  form a
      vanilla Gröbner stairs (for a degree
 form a
      vanilla Gröbner stairs (for a degree  ideal)
      as claimed. Indeed, there are
 ideal)
      as claimed. Indeed, there are  monomials under
      the stairs
 monomials under
      the stairs  (i.e. in normal form w.r.t.
 (i.e. in normal form w.r.t.  ), and we notice that a monomial
), and we notice that a monomial
       is under the stairs if and only if
 is under the stairs if and only if  .
. 
    
         be as above, and let
 be as above, and let  be the leading monomial of
 be the leading monomial of  for
 for
         . With
. With  as in Proposition 3, the
        as in Proposition 3, the  -degree
        of
-degree
        of  is given by
 is given by
      
 
        
        In particular, for all  ,
        we have
,
        we have
      
 
        
      Remark  with some precautions: if
 with some precautions: if  , one has to leave out
, one has to leave out  since
 since
       is divisible by
 is divisible by  with the
      given formulas. Then
 with the
      given formulas. Then  consists of
 consists of  elements
 elements  .
.
    
      The main reduction algorithm in this paper relies on a rewriting
      strategy that allows us to rewrite general linear combinations  of elements in the Gröbner basis as linear
      combinations of fewer elements. In particular, it should be possible to
      express each
 of elements in the Gröbner basis as linear
      combinations of fewer elements. In particular, it should be possible to
      express each  as a linear combination of elements
      in a suitable subset
 as a linear combination of elements
      in a suitable subset  of
 of  (this subset then generates the ideal
      (this subset then generates the ideal  ),
      with degrees that can be controlled.
),
      with degrees that can be controlled.
    
      It turns out that such a subset  may need to
      contain three elements at least, but that
 may need to
      contain three elements at least, but that  generically works. In order to control the degrees in the linear
      combinations, we may also consider intermediate sets between
      generically works. In order to control the degrees in the linear
      combinations, we may also consider intermediate sets between  and the full set
 and the full set  ,
      such as
,
      such as  for various integer “step
      lengths”
 for various integer “step
      lengths”  . This leads
      us to the following definition:
. This leads
      us to the following definition:
    
         be an integer and consider the set
        of indices
 be an integer and consider the set
        of indices
      
|  | (1) | 
        We say that a family of polynomials  is
        retractive for step length
 is
        retractive for step length  and
        and  -degree
-degree  if for all
 if for all  we can write
 we can write
      
 
        
        for some  with
 with  .
.
      
      Consider a Gröbner basis  as in Proposition
      3 and a linear combination
 as in Proposition
      3 and a linear combination  with
 with
       for all
 for all  .
      Making rough estimates, the number of monomials in
.
      Making rough estimates, the number of monomials in  of
      of  -degree
-degree  is
      is  , whence the number of
      monomials of
, whence the number of
      monomials of  -degree between
-degree between
       and
 and  is bounded by
 is bounded by  . The set
. The set  roughly corresponds to the set of monomials of
      roughly corresponds to the set of monomials of  -degree
-degree  ,
      whence the support of
,
      whence the support of  contains at most
 contains at most  monomials that are not in
 monomials that are not in  . Notice that such a combination
. Notice that such a combination  is uniquely determined by its terms not in
      is uniquely determined by its terms not in  : if all the terms of
: if all the terms of  are in
      are in  , then
, then  by definition of a Gröbner basis.
 by definition of a Gröbner basis.
    
      On the other hand the polynomials  with
 with  are determined by approximately
 are determined by approximately  coefficients. As soon as
      coefficients. As soon as  , it
      follows that
, it
      follows that
    
 
    
      and it becomes likely that non-trivial relations of the type  indeed exist. A refined analysis and practical experiments
      show that the precise threshold is located at
 indeed exist. A refined analysis and practical experiments
      show that the precise threshold is located at  , although we have no formal proof of this empirical
      fact.
, although we have no formal proof of this empirical
      fact.
    
We are now in a position to describe the class of Gröbner bases with enough regularity for our fast reduction algorithm to work.
         be the reduced Gröbner basis
        for an ideal
 be the reduced Gröbner basis
        for an ideal  with respect to
 with respect to  . We say that
. We say that  is a
        vanilla Gröbner basis if
 is a
        vanilla Gröbner basis if
      
              the leading monomials of  form a vanilla
              Gröbner stairs;
 form a vanilla
              Gröbner stairs;
            
              the family  is retractive for step length
 is retractive for step length
               and
 and  -degree
-degree
               , for
, for  .
.
            
      It appears that reduced Gröbner bases of sufficiently generic
      ideals are always of vanilla type, although we have not been able to
      prove this so far. We even do not know whether vanilla Gröbner
      bases exist for arbitrary fields  (with
      sufficiently many elements) and degrees
 (with
      sufficiently many elements) and degrees  .
      Nevertheless, practical computer experiments suggest that sufficiently
      random ideals of degree
.
      Nevertheless, practical computer experiments suggest that sufficiently
      random ideals of degree  admit Gröbner bases
      of this kind. More precisely, we have checked this (up to degrees in the
      range of a few hundreds) for ideals that are generated as follows by two
      random polynomials:
 admit Gröbner bases
      of this kind. More precisely, we have checked this (up to degrees in the
      range of a few hundreds) for ideals that are generated as follows by two
      random polynomials:
    
          for  , where
, where  and
 and  are random univariate
          polynomials of degrees
 are random univariate
          polynomials of degrees  and
 and  , and for any ordernig
, and for any ordernig  ;
; 
        
          for  , where
, where  and
 and  are random bivariate
          polynomials of total degree
 are random bivariate
          polynomials of total degree  (in this case
          the degree of the ideal is
 (in this case
          the degree of the ideal is  ),
          and for any ordering
),
          and for any ordering  with
 with  ;
;
        
          for  , where
, where  and
 and  are random bivariate
          polynomials of degree
 are random bivariate
          polynomials of degree  in both variables (in
          this case the degree of the ideal is
 in both variables (in
          this case the degree of the ideal is  ),
          and for any ordering
),
          and for any ordering  with
 with  .
.
        
      In each of these cases, the threshold  seems to
      be sharp. Nevertheless, for our complexity bounds, a threshold of the
      type
 seems to
      be sharp. Nevertheless, for our complexity bounds, a threshold of the
      type  would suffice, for any constant
 would suffice, for any constant  .
.
    
      In this section, we quickly review some basic complexities for
      fundamental operations on polynomials over a field  . Notice that results presented in this section
      are not specific to the bivariate case. Running times will always be
      measured in terms of the required number of field operations in
. Notice that results presented in this section
      are not specific to the bivariate case. Running times will always be
      measured in terms of the required number of field operations in  .
.
    
      We denote by  the cost of multiplying two dense
      univariate polynomials of degree
 the cost of multiplying two dense
      univariate polynomials of degree  in
 in  . Over general fields, one may take [27,
      26, 5]
. Over general fields, one may take [27,
      26, 5]
    
 
    
      In the case of fields of positive characteristic, one may even take
       , where
, where  denotes the iterated logarithm [17, 18]. We
      make the customary assumptions that
      denotes the iterated logarithm [17, 18]. We
      make the customary assumptions that  is
      increasing and that
 is
      increasing and that  , with
      the usual implications, such as
, with
      the usual implications, such as  .
.
    
      For multivariate polynomials, the cost of multiplication depends on the
      geometry of the support. The multiplication of dense bivariate
      “block” polynomials in  of degree
 of degree
       in each variable
 in each variable  can be
      reduced to multiplication of univariate polynomials of degree
 can be
      reduced to multiplication of univariate polynomials of degree  using the well known technique of Kronecker substitution
      [12]. More generally, for polynomials such that the support
      of the product is included in an initial segment with
 using the well known technique of Kronecker substitution
      [12]. More generally, for polynomials such that the support
      of the product is included in an initial segment with  elements, it is possible to compute the product in time
      elements, it is possible to compute the product in time  . Here an initial segment of
. Here an initial segment of  is a subset
      is a subset  such that all divisors of any
      monomial
 such that all divisors of any
      monomial  are again in
 are again in  .
.
    
      For the purpose of this paper, we need to consider dense polynomials
       in
 in  whose supports are
      contained in sets of the form
 whose supports are
      contained in sets of the form  .
      Modulo the change of variables
.
      Modulo the change of variables  ,
      such a polynomial can be rewritten as
,
      such a polynomial can be rewritten as  ,
      where the support of
,
      where the support of  is an initial segment with
      the same size as
 is an initial segment with
      the same size as  . For a
      product of two polynomials of this type with a support of size
. For a
      product of two polynomials of this type with a support of size  , this means that the product can
      again be computed in time
, this means that the product can
      again be computed in time  .
.
    
      For the above polynomial multiplication algorithms, we assume that the
      input polynomials are entirely given from the outset. In specific
      settings, the input polynomials may be only partially known at some
      point, and it can be interesting to anticipate the computation of the
      partial output. This is particularly true when working with (truncated)
      formal power series  instead of polynomials,
      where it is common that the coefficients are given as a stream.
 instead of polynomials,
      where it is common that the coefficients are given as a stream.
    
      In this so-called “relaxed (or online) computation model”,
      the coefficient  of a product of two series
 of a product of two series  must be output as soon as
 must be output as soon as  and
 and
       are known. This model has the advantage that
      subsequent coefficients
 are known. This model has the advantage that
      subsequent coefficients  and
 and  are allowed to depend on the result
      are allowed to depend on the result  .
      This often allows us to solve equations involving power series
.
      This often allows us to solve equations involving power series  by rewriting them into recursive equations of the
      form
 by rewriting them into recursive equations of the
      form  , with the property that
      the coefficient
, with the property that
      the coefficient  only depends on earlier
      coefficients
 only depends on earlier
      coefficients  for all
 for all  . For instance, in order to invert a power series of
      the form
. For instance, in order to invert a power series of
      the form  with
 with  ,
      we may take
,
      we may take  . Similarly, if
. Similarly, if
       has characteristic zero, then the exponential of
      a power series
 has characteristic zero, then the exponential of
      a power series  with
 with  can
      be computed by taking
 can
      be computed by taking  .
.
    
      From a complexity point of view, let  denote the
      cost of the relaxed multiplication of two polynomials of degree
 denote the
      cost of the relaxed multiplication of two polynomials of degree  . The relaxed model prevents us
      from directly using fast “zealous” multiplication algorithms
      from the previous section that are typically based on
      FFT-multiplication. Fortunately, it was shown in [19, 10] that
. The relaxed model prevents us
      from directly using fast “zealous” multiplication algorithms
      from the previous section that are typically based on
      FFT-multiplication. Fortunately, it was shown in [19, 10] that
    
|  | (2) | 
This relaxed multiplication algorithm admits the advantage that it may use any zealous multiplication as a black box. Through the direct use of FFT-based techniques, the following bound has also been established in [21]:
 
    
      In the sequel, we will only use a suitable multivariate generalization
      of the algorithm from [19, 10], so we will
      always assume that  is of the form (2).
      In particular, we have
 is of the form (2).
      In particular, we have  .
.
    
      Let us now consider a Gröbner basis of an ideal in  , or, more generally, an auto-reduced tuple
, or, more generally, an auto-reduced tuple
       of polynomials in
 of polynomials in  .
      Then for any
.
      Then for any  , we may compute
      a relation
, we may compute
      a relation
    
 
    
      such that  is reduced with respect to
 is reduced with respect to  . We call
. We call  an extended reduction of
      an extended reduction of  with respect
      to
 with respect
      to  .
.
    
      The computation of such an extended reduction is a good example of a
      problem that can be solved efficiently using relaxed multiplication and
      recursive equations. For a multivariate polynomial
       with dense support of any of the types discussed in section
      3.1
      , let
      with dense support of any of the types discussed in section
      3.1
      , let
       denote a bound for the size of its support. With
      denote a bound for the size of its support. With
       as in (
      2
      ), it has been shown
      as in (
      2
      ), it has been shown
      
1. The results from [20] actually apply for more general types of supports, but this will not be needed in this paper.
 and the
      remainder
      and the
      remainder
      
       can be computed in time
      can be computed in time
    
    |  | (3) | 
      This implies in particular that the extended reduction can be computed
      in quasi-linear time in the size of the equation  . However, as pointed out in the introduction, this
      equation is in general much larger than the input polynomial
. However, as pointed out in the introduction, this
      equation is in general much larger than the input polynomial  .
.
    
      Extended reductions  are far from being unique
      (only
 are far from being unique
      (only  is unique, and only if
 is unique, and only if  is a Gröbner basis). The algorithm from [20] for the
      computation of an extended reduction relies on a selection
      strategy that selects a particular index
      is a Gröbner basis). The algorithm from [20] for the
      computation of an extended reduction relies on a selection
      strategy that selects a particular index  for every monomial
      for every monomial  such that
 such that  is non-empty. The initial formulation [20] used the
      simplest such strategy by taking
      is non-empty. The initial formulation [20] used the
      simplest such strategy by taking  ,
      but the complexity bound (3) holds for any selection
      strategy. Now the total size of all quotients
,
      but the complexity bound (3) holds for any selection
      strategy. Now the total size of all quotients  may be much larger than the size of
      may be much larger than the size of  for a
      general selection strategy. One of the key ingredients of the fast
      reduction algorithm in this paper is the careful design of a
      “dichotomic selection strategy” that enables us to control
      the degrees of the quotients.
 for a
      general selection strategy. One of the key ingredients of the fast
      reduction algorithm in this paper is the careful design of a
      “dichotomic selection strategy” that enables us to control
      the degrees of the quotients.
    
      Remark 
      Let  be a vanilla Gröbner basis of some
      ideal
 be a vanilla Gröbner basis of some
      ideal  with respect to
 with respect to  and assume the notations from Proposition 3. We recall from
      the introduction that a major obstruction for the design of reduction
      algorithms that run in quasi-linear time
      and assume the notations from Proposition 3. We recall from
      the introduction that a major obstruction for the design of reduction
      algorithms that run in quasi-linear time  is that
      it requires space
 is that
      it requires space  to explicitly write down the
      full basis
 to explicitly write down the
      full basis  . The aim of this
      section is to introduce a suitable “terse representation”
      that can be stored in space
. The aim of this
      section is to introduce a suitable “terse representation”
      that can be stored in space  ,
      but that still contains all necessary information for efficient
      computations modulo
,
      but that still contains all necessary information for efficient
      computations modulo  .
.
    
      For each  , let
, let  be as in (1). Also, for
 be as in (1). Also, for  , let
, let  be a shorthand
      for
 be a shorthand
      for  . Since
. Since  is a vanilla Gröbner basis, Definition 7 ensures in
      particular the existence of coefficients
      is a vanilla Gröbner basis, Definition 7 ensures in
      particular the existence of coefficients  for
 for
       and
 and  and
 and  , such that
, such that
    
 
    
      We call these  the retraction
      coefficients for
 the retraction
      coefficients for  . For
      each given
. For
      each given  , the computation
      of the retraction coefficients
, the computation
      of the retraction coefficients  reduces to a
      linear system of size
 reduces to a
      linear system of size  with
 with  (for the image space, consider only the monomials that are
      above the Gröbner stairs), which is easily solved by
      Gaussian elimination. Notice that the space needed to write the
      retraction coefficients is much smaller than the Gröbner basis:
      (for the image space, consider only the monomials that are
      above the Gröbner stairs), which is easily solved by
      Gaussian elimination. Notice that the space needed to write the
      retraction coefficients is much smaller than the Gröbner basis:
    
      Proof. For every  ,
      there are
,
      there are  indices in
 indices in  , and we notice that
, and we notice that  .
      For any given
.
      For any given  , the
      retraction coefficients involve at most
, the
      retraction coefficients involve at most  indices
 indices
       and
 and  indices
 indices  , whence at most
, whence at most  pairs
 pairs
       . Since the support of
. Since the support of  has size
 has size  ,
      it follows that all retraction coefficient together require space
,
      it follows that all retraction coefficient together require space
    
 
       
    
    
      We observe that the space needed to write all relations is about the
      same size as the dimension of the quotient algebra  , up to a logarithmic factor.
, up to a logarithmic factor.
    
      For vanilla Gröbner bases, it is a priori possible to
      recover  from
 from  using the
      retraction coefficients: with
 using the
      retraction coefficients: with  ,
      first compute
,
      first compute  , next
, next  and
 and  , and
      so on. In order to compute reductions of the form
, and
      so on. In order to compute reductions of the form  efficiently, we will need slightly more information. In particular, we
      wish to access some of the head terms of the
      efficiently, we will need slightly more information. In particular, we
      wish to access some of the head terms of the  . More precisely, if the quotient
. More precisely, if the quotient  has degree
      has degree  , then we need to
      know the terms of
, then we need to
      know the terms of  with degree at least
 with degree at least  in order to compute the quotient
 in order to compute the quotient  using a relaxed reduction algorithm.
      using a relaxed reduction algorithm.
    
         ,
        we define its upper truncation with
,
        we define its upper truncation with  -precision
-precision  as the
        polynomial
 as the
        polynomial  such that
 such that
      
              all terms of  of
 of  -degree less than
-degree less than  are zero;
              are zero;
            
              all terms of  of
 of  -degree at least
-degree at least  are
              equal to the corresponding terms in
 are
              equal to the corresponding terms in  .
.
            
      Notice that this upper truncation  can be written
      using space
 can be written
      using space  . For the
      reduction strategy that we plan to use, we will have
. For the
      reduction strategy that we plan to use, we will have
    
|  | (4) | 
      for all  , where
, where  denotes the
 denotes the  -adic
      valuation of
-adic
      valuation of  . This motivates
      the following definition:
. This motivates
      the following definition:
    
         be a vanilla
        Gröbner basis for an ideal
 be a vanilla
        Gröbner basis for an ideal  with respect
        to
 with respect
        to  . The terse
        representation of
. The terse
        representation of  consists of the
        following data:
 consists of the
        following data:
      
              the sequence of truncated elements  ,
              where
,
              where
            
                   for
 for  ;
;
                
                   is the upper truncation of
 is the upper truncation of  at precision
 at precision  for all
                  other
 for all
                  other  ;
;
                
              the collection of all retraction coefficients  as in section 4.1.
              as in section 4.1.
            
         fits in
        space
 fits in
        space  .
.
      
      Proof. The upper truncation  requires space
      requires space  for all
 for all  . For each
. For each  ,
      there are at most
,
      there are at most  indices
 indices  such that
      such that  ; therefore,
; therefore,  take
 take  space. The elements
 space. The elements
       ,
,  and
 and
       require
 require  additional
      space, whereas the coefficients
 additional
      space, whereas the coefficients  account for
 account for  more space, by Lemma 9.
 more space, by Lemma 9. 
    
      Let  be a vanilla Gröbner basis for an ideal
 be a vanilla Gröbner basis for an ideal
       as in the previous section and assume that its
      terse representation has been precomputed. The goal of this section is
      to present our main algorithm that computes the extended reduction
 as in the previous section and assume that its
      terse representation has been precomputed. The goal of this section is
      to present our main algorithm that computes the extended reduction  of a polynomial
 of a polynomial  of
 of  -degree
-degree  in
      quasi-linear time
 in
      quasi-linear time  . This is
      quasi-optimal with respect to the dimension of the quotient algebra
. This is
      quasi-optimal with respect to the dimension of the quotient algebra  and the size of the support
 and the size of the support  .
.
    
      The reduction algorithm proceeds in two steps: in a first stage, we
      compute the quotients  ; we
      next evaluate the remainder
; we
      next evaluate the remainder  by rewriting the
      linear combination
 by rewriting the
      linear combination  using fewer and fewer terms.
 using fewer and fewer terms.
    
      To compute the quotients, we reduce  as in
      section 3.3 against the tuple
 as in
      section 3.3 against the tuple  ,
      in such a way that the degrees of the quotients are bounded as in
      equation (4). This is done using the algorithm from [20], but with the following dichotomic selection
      strategy. Given a monomial
,
      in such a way that the degrees of the quotients are bounded as in
      equation (4). This is done using the algorithm from [20], but with the following dichotomic selection
      strategy. Given a monomial  ,
      we reduce
,
      we reduce  against
 against  ,
      where
,
      where  is determined as follows:
 is determined as follows:
    
          if  divides
 divides  ,
          then take
,
          then take  ;
;
        
          else if  divides
 divides  , then take
, then take  ;
;
        
          else we take  to be the unique element in
 to be the unique element in
           with
 with  .
.
        
This selection strategy is illustrated in Figure 2 .
         be the quotients obtained for the reduction of
 be the quotients obtained for the reduction of
         with respect to
 with respect to  using
        the dichotomic selection strategy. Then the bound
 using
        the dichotomic selection strategy. Then the bound
      
 
        
        holds for all  , so that
, so that
         , and the extended
        reduction
, and the extended
        reduction  can be computed in time
 can be computed in time
      
 
        
      Proof. Let  with
 with  , so that
, so that  for
      for  , and denote
, and denote  . Then we observe that
. Then we observe that  : if not, then
: if not, then  would divide
 would divide
       , whereas
, whereas  . A similar reasoning with
. A similar reasoning with  (or
      (or  , whenever
, whenever  ) shows that
) shows that  .
      It follows that
.
      It follows that  .
.
    
      This also proves that  and
 and  , for any
, for any  .
      Since the number of indices
.
      Since the number of indices  with
 with  is bounded by
 is bounded by  ,
      we get
,
      we get
    
 
    
      On the other hand,  and
 and  , whence
, whence  and
 and  . We conclude by applying the bound (3)
      for the complexity of polynomial reduction.
. We conclude by applying the bound (3)
      for the complexity of polynomial reduction. 
    
      The next important observation is that the quotients  obtained in the above way can actually be used as quotients for the
      extended reduction of
      obtained in the above way can actually be used as quotients for the
      extended reduction of  with respect to
 with respect to  :
:
    
      Proof. Let  .
      By construction,
.
      By construction,  is reduced with respect to
 is reduced with respect to  and whence with respect to
 and whence with respect to  since
      since  for all
 for all  .
      For any
.
      For any  , we also have
, we also have  , whence
, whence
    
 
    
      by Lemma 13 and Corollary 4. Since  and
 and  , this
      means that
, this
      means that
    
 
    
      In other words, the polynomials  ,
,
       , and therefore
, and therefore  are all reduced with respect to
 are all reduced with respect to  .
. 
    
      Once the quotients  are known, we need to compute
      the remainder
 are known, we need to compute
      the remainder  . We do this by
      rewriting (or retracting) the linear combination
. We do this by
      rewriting (or retracting) the linear combination  into a linear combination
 into a linear combination  using
      the following algorithm:
 using
      the following algorithm:
    
        Algorithm 
        Output:  with
 with  
      
        For  , set
, set  
      
        For  do
 do
      
        For  do
 do
      
        If  and
 and  ,
        then set
,
        then set  
      
        Otherwise, set  
      
          For  , define
, define  , and return
, and return  
        
         .
.
      
      Proof. By construction, we notice that  if
 if  and
 and  (that is
      (that is  ). Let us now show
      by induction over
). Let us now show
      by induction over  that
 that
    
 
    
      This is clearly true for  . We
      have
. We
      have
    
 
    
      which proves the correctness of Algorithm 1. Again by
      induction over  , it is not
      hard to see that the bound
, it is not
      hard to see that the bound  implies
 implies
    
|  | (5) | 
      Now, for  and
 and   ,
      the product
,
      the product  is computed in time
 is computed in time  , and there are
, and there are  such
      products (see the proof of Lemma 9). Using that
 such
      products (see the proof of Lemma 9). Using that  is non-decreasing, we conclude that each step can be
      computed in time
 is non-decreasing, we conclude that each step can be
      computed in time  .
. 
    
Combining our subalgorithms, we obtain our algorithm for extended reduction.
        Algorithm 
        Output: An extended reduction  of
 of  modulo
 modulo  
      
        Compute the extended reduction  with respect to
 with respect to
         
      
        Compute  as a function of
 as a function of  using Algorithm 1
        using Algorithm 1
      
        Compute  
      
          Return  .
.
        
      Proof. Because of Lemma 13, the
      extended reduction with respect to  is computed
      in time
 is computed
      in time
    
 
    
      Proposition 14 ensures that the quotients are also valid
      with respect to  . The next
      step is to evaluate the remainder
. The next
      step is to evaluate the remainder  .
      The
.
      The  's are computed in time
's are computed in time
       using Lemma 15 and we have
 using Lemma 15 and we have
    
 
    
      For  , it follows from (5) that
, it follows from (5) that  .
      Consequently, the evaluation of
.
      Consequently, the evaluation of  takes time
 takes time
    
 
       
    
    
      Let  be a vanilla Gröbner basis for an ideal
 be a vanilla Gröbner basis for an ideal
       with respect to
 with respect to  and
      assume that we we have precomputed a terse representation for
 and
      assume that we we have precomputed a terse representation for  . Elements in the quotient algebra
. Elements in the quotient algebra
       can naturally be represented as polynomials in
 can naturally be represented as polynomials in
       that are reduced with respect to
 that are reduced with respect to  . An immediate application of Theorem 16
      is a multiplication algorithm for
. An immediate application of Theorem 16
      is a multiplication algorithm for  that runs in
      quasi-linear time.
 that runs in
      quasi-linear time.
    
      More precisely, with the notations from Proposition 3,
      given two polynomials  that are reduced with
      respect to
 that are reduced with
      respect to  , we have
, we have  and
 and  ,
      whence
,
      whence  and
 and  .
      It follows that
.
      It follows that  can be computed in time
 can be computed in time  , whereas the reduction of
, whereas the reduction of  with respect to
 with respect to  takes time
 takes time
       . This yields:
. This yields:
    
         as above, multiplication in the quotient
        algebra
 as above, multiplication in the quotient
        algebra  can be performed in time
 can be performed in time
      
 
        
      Let us now assume that our ideal  admits a
      vanilla Gröbner basis
 admits a
      vanilla Gröbner basis  with respect to the
      ordering
 with respect to the
      ordering  for all
 for all  .
      We will write
.
      We will write  for the quotient algebra when
      representing elements using normal forms with respect to
 for the quotient algebra when
      representing elements using normal forms with respect to  . If
. If  ,
      then we notice that
,
      then we notice that  is also a Gröbner basis
      with respect to the lexicographical monomial ordering
 is also a Gröbner basis
      with respect to the lexicographical monomial ordering  . In order to efficiently convert between
. In order to efficiently convert between  and
 and  with
 with  , we first consider the case when
, we first consider the case when  :
:
    
         ,
        assume that we have precomputed terse representations for
,
        assume that we have precomputed terse representations for  and
 and  . Then
        back and forth conversions between
. Then
        back and forth conversions between  and
 and  can be computed in time
 can be computed in time
      
 
        
      Proof. Assume that  has
 has
       elements
 elements  and
 and  has
 has  elements
 elements  . We know from Proposition 3 that
. We know from Proposition 3 that
       and similarly
 and similarly  .
      Now given
.
      Now given  that is reduced with respect to
 that is reduced with respect to  , we have
, we have  , whence
, whence  and
 and  . Theorem 16 therefore implies
      that normal form of
. Theorem 16 therefore implies
      that normal form of  w.r.t.
 w.r.t.  can be computed in time
      can be computed in time 
    
 
    
      and we conclude using  . The
      proof for the backward conversion is similar.
. The
      proof for the backward conversion is similar. 
    
      For general  , let
, let  be such that
 be such that  and
 and  . Then we may perform conversions between
. Then we may perform conversions between  and
 and  using a Gröbner walk
 using a Gröbner walk
    
 
    
      All  coincide for
 coincide for  ,
      so we can assume that
,
      so we can assume that  . Then
      there are at most
. Then
      there are at most  conversions as above, so that:
 conversions as above, so that:
    
         ,
        assume that we have precomputed terse representations for
,
        assume that we have precomputed terse representations for  . Then back and forth conversions between
. Then back and forth conversions between
         and
 and  can be computed in
        time
 can be computed in
        time
      
 
        As explained in the introduction, we deliberately chose to present our results in the simplest possible setting. As a future work, it would be interesting to generalize our algorithms. The following two extensions should be rather straightforward:
          The consideration of general monomial orderings, starting with  for
 for  .
.
        
          Generalizations to multivariate polynomials in  . We expect no essential problems for fixed
. We expect no essential problems for fixed
           . However, the dependence
          of the complexity on
. However, the dependence
          of the complexity on  is likely to be
          polynomial in
 is likely to be
          polynomial in  .
.
        
Some of the more challenging problems are as follows:
          Is it true that a “sufficiently generic”
          zero-dimensional ideal  of fixed degree
 of fixed degree  necessarily admits a vanilla Gröbner basis?
 necessarily admits a vanilla Gröbner basis?
        
          Given a vanilla Gröbner basis, what is the actual complexity of
          computing its terse representation? Our first analysis suggests a
          bound  , but we suspect
          that the computation of the retraction coefficients
, but we suspect
          that the computation of the retraction coefficients  can be accelerated by using the sygyzies that result from reducing
          the
          can be accelerated by using the sygyzies that result from reducing
          the  -polynomials of basis
          elements to zero.
-polynomials of basis
          elements to zero.
        
          Can our results be generalized to the degenerate case of non-vanilla
          Gröbner bases  ?
?
        
      On the long run, one might also wonder whether some of the new
      techniques can be used for the efficient computation of Gröbner
      bases themselves. For the moment, this seems far beyond reach.
      Nevertheless, a quasi-optimal algorithm does exist for the particular
      case of an ideal  generated by two generic
      polynomials
 generated by two generic
      polynomials  of total degree
 of total degree  , when working with respect to the monomial
      ordering
, when working with respect to the monomial
      ordering  . We intend to
      report on the details in a forthcoming paper.
. We intend to
      report on the details in a forthcoming paper.
    
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