Improperly parametrized rational curves (Q1077124)

Improperly parametrized curves, expressed in a parametric representation, are those which do not have a one-to-one correspondence between values of the parameter and points on the curve. The purpose of this paper is to present an algorithm for detecting whether a curve expressed parametrically in terms of rational functions is improperly parametrized, and also to show how such curves can be made properly parametrized. If the algorithm can be implemented in exact integer arithmetic, then it should work very satisfactorily. Because it involves Euclid's GCD algorithm, however, a modified form must be used with floating point arithmetic, gaining reliability at the expense of speed.