Implicitizing Rational Curves by the Method of Moving Algebraic Curves

A functionF(x,y,t)that assigns to each parametertan algebraic curveF(x,y,t)=0is called a moving curve. A moving curveF(x,y,t)is said to follow a rational curvex=x(t)/w(t),y=y(t)/w(t)ifF(x(t)/w(t), y(t)/w(t),t)is identically zero. A new technique for finding the implicit equation of a rational curve based on the notion of moving conics that follow the curve is investigated. For rational curves of degree 2nwith no base points the method of moving conics generates the implicit equation as the determinant of ann×nmatrix, where each entry is a quadratic polynomial inxandy, whereas standard resultant methods generate the implicit equation as the determinant of a 2n× 2nmatrix where each entry is a linear polynomial inxandy. Thus implicitization using moving conics yields more compact representations for the implicit equation than standard resultant techniques, and these compressed expressions may lead to faster evaluation algorithms. Moreover whereas resultants fail in the presence of base points, the method of moving conics actually simplifies, because when base points are present some of the moving conics reduce to moving lines.