We discuss existence of factorizations with linear factors for (left) polynomials over certain associative real involutive algebras, most notably over Clifford algebras. Because of their relevance to kinematics and mechanism science, we put particular emphasis on factorization results for quaternion, dual quaternion and split quaternion polynomials. A general algorithm ensures existence of a factorization for generic polynomials over division rings but we also consider factorizations for non-division rings. We explain the current state of the art, present some new results and provide examples and counter examples.
We investigate factorizability of a quadratic split quaternion polynomial. In addition to inequality conditions for existence of such factorization, we provide lucid geometric interpretations in the projective space over the split quaternions.
We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for admissible transformations in the projectivised dual quaternion model of rigid body displacements and we characterise constraint varieties of dyads with revolute and prismatic joints in this model. Projective transformations induced by coordinate changes in moving and/or fixed frame fix the quadrics of a pencil and preserve the two families of rulings of an exceptional three-dimensional quadric. The constraint variety of a dyad with two revolute joints is a regular ruled quadric in a three-space that contains a "null quadrilateral". If a revolute joint is replaced by a prismatic joint, this quadrilateral collapses into a pair of conjugate complex null lines and a real line but these properties are not sufficient to characterise such dyads. We provide a complete characterisation by introducing a new invariant, the "fiber projectivity", and we present examples that demonstrate its potential to explain hitherto not sufficiently well understood phenomena.
The trajectories of a rational motion given by a polynomial of degree n in the dual quaternion model of rigid body displacements are generically of degree 2n. In this article we study those exceptional motions whose trajectory degree is lower. An algebraic criterion for this drop of degree is existence of certain right factors, a geometric criterion involves one of two families of rulings on an invariant quadric. Our characterizations allow the systematic construction of rational motions with exceptional degree reduction and explain why the trajectory degrees of a rational motion and its inverse motion can be different.
We present an algorithm to compute all factorizations into linear factors of univariate polynomials over the split quaternions, provided such a factorization exists. Failure of the algorithm is equivalent to non-factorizability for which we present also geometric interpretations in terms of rulings on the quadric of non-invertible split quaternions. However, suitable real polynomial multiples of split quaternion polynomials can still be factorized and we describe how to find these real polynomials. Split quaternion polynomials describe rational motions in the hyperbolic plane. Factorization with linear factors corresponds to the decomposition of the rational motion into hyperbolic rotations. Since multiplication with a real polynomial does not change the motion, this decomposition is always possible. Some of our ideas can be transferred to the factorization theory of motion polynomials. These are polynomials over the dual quaternions with real norm polynomial and they describe rational motions in Euclidean kinematics. We transfer techniques developed for split quaternions to compute new factorizations of certain dual quaternion polynomials.
We present an algorithm to compute all factorizations into linear factors of univariate polynomials over the split quaternions, provided such a factorization exists. Failure of the algorithm is equivalent to non-factorizability for which we present also geometric interpretations in terms of rulings on the quadric of non-invertible split quaternions. However, suitable real polynomial multiples of split quaternion polynomials can still be factorized and we describe how to find these real polynomials. Split quaternion polynomials describe rational motions in the hyperbolic plane. Factorization with linear factors corresponds to the decomposition of the rational motion into hyperbolic rotations. Since multiplication with a real polynomial does not change the motion, this decomposition is always possible. Some of our ideas can be transferred to the factorization theory of motion polynomials. These are polynomials over the dual quaternions with real norm polynomial and they describe rational motions in Euclidean kinematics. We transfer techniques developed for split quaternions to compute new factorizations of certain dual quaternion polynomials.
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