The degree of the E-characteristic polynomial of an even order tensor

The E-characteristic polynomial of an even order supersymmetric tensor is a useful tool in determining the positive definiteness of an even degree multivariate form. In this paper, for an even order tensor, we first establish the formula of its E-characteristic polynomial by using the classical Macaulay formula of resultants, then give an upper bound for the degree of that E-characteristic polynomial. Examples illustrate that this bound is attainable in some low order and dimensional cases. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved