Polynomial functions over dual numbers of several variables

Abstract

Let $k\in \mathbb{N}\setminus \{0\}$. For a commutative ring $R$, the ring of dual numbers of $k$ variables over $R$ is the quotient ring $R[x_1,\dots ,x_k]/I$, where $I$ is the ideal generated by the set $\{x_i{x}_j\mid i,j=1,\dots ,k\}$. This ring can be viewed as $R[{\alpha }_1,\dots ,{\alpha }_k]$ with ${\alpha }_i{\alpha }_j=0$, where ${\alpha }_i=x_i+I$ for $i,j=1,\dots ,k$. We investigate the polynomial functions of $R[{\alpha }_1,\dots ,{\alpha }_k]$ whenever $R$ is a finite commutative ring. We derive counting formulas for the number of polynomial functions and polynomial permutations on $R[{\alpha }_1,\dots ,{\alpha }_k]$ depending on the order of the pointwise stabilizer of the subring of constants $R$ in the group of polynomial permutations of $R[{\alpha }_1,\dots ,{\alpha }_k]$. Further, we show that the stabilizer group of $R$ is independent of the number of variables $k$. Moreover, we prove that a function $F$ on $R[{\alpha }_1,\dots ,{\alpha }_k]$ is a polynomial function if and only if a system of linear equations on $R$ that depends on $F$ has a solution.

arXiv commentTo appear in the Journal of Algebra and its Applications. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1910.00238