Calculation of singularities of an imbedding of a generic algebraic surface in projective space \(P^ 3\) (Q1073861)

The author generalizes results of \textit{O. A. Platonova} [Russ. Math. Surv. 36, No.1, 248-249 (1981); translation from Usp. Mat. Nauk 36, No.1(217), 221-222 (1981; Zbl 0458.14014)] about the number of inflection points on a planar algebraic curve to surfaces in \(P^ 3\). The five types of inflection points on a general surface due to Platonova are: Type (P\({}_ 1):\) curve of parabolic points; Type (P\({}_ 2):\) finite set of points of tangency of \(P_ 1\) to an asymptotic direction; Type (H\({}_ 2):\) curve of inflections of asymptotic lines; Type (H\({}_ 3):\) finite set of selfintersections of curves of type \(H_ 2\); Type (H\({}_ 4):\) finite set of points where curve \(H_ 2\) is tangent to an asymptotic direction. The author shows that, if d is the degree of the surface, then: deg \(P_ 1=4d(d-2)\); deg \(H_ 2=d(11d-24)\); {\#}P\({}_ 2=2d(d-2)(11d-24)\); {\#}H\({}_ 3=5d(7d^ 2-28d+30)\); {\#}H\({}_ 4=5d(d-4)(7d-12)\). The connection between the singularities of the embedding \(X\subseteq P^ 3\) and the Thom-Bordman singularities of type \(S_{\ell^ k}\) established in {\S} 2 of the article under review is the key point of the calculation.