Fundamental class of real algebraic sets (Q5929612)

Consider a polynomial map \(F:\mathbb{R}^n \to\mathbb{R}^k\) (where \(n\geq k)\) and assume that the fiber \(X=F^{-1}(0)\) is compact. The author defines a fundamental class \([X]_F\in H_{n-k} (X;\mathbb{Z})\) and a topological degree for a map \(G:X\to \mathbb{R}^{n-k+1} \smallsetminus \{0\}\). The class \([X]_F\) depends on \(F\) and coincides with the usual fundamental class when \(X\) is a smooth oriented manifold of dimension \(n-k\). The author also proposes an effective method for computing the topological degree of \(G\). For a polynomial map \(Q:X\to \mathbb{R}^{n-k}\) with a regular value \(0\in\mathbb{R}^{n-k}\), a formula for computing the degree of the restriction of \(Q\) on the set of its critical points is given.