A geometric theory of the Buchsbaum-Rim multiplicity (Q1330027)

The authors develop a self-contained theory (based on elementary algebraic geometry) of a generalized Buchsbaum-Rim multiplicity. The multiplicity is defined as the sum of certain intersection numbers; the usual definition is recovered in terms of the leading coefficient of the polynomial that gives the appropriate lengths. With their approach, the authors recover and improve many recent advances on the subject, and they get new results. In particular, they prove an additivity formula, a polar multiplicity formula and a mixed multiplicity formula. Corollary 10.3 implies the height inequality for maximal minors [cf. \textit{D. A. Buchsbaum} and \textit{D. S. Rim}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 111, 197-224 (1964; Zbl 0131.278)]; theorem 10.9 is a generalization of Böger's theorem [\textit{E. Böger}, Math. Ann. 185, 303-308 (1970; Zbl 0184.290); see also \textit{J. Lipman} in ``Commutative Algebra: Analytic methods'', Conf. Fairfax 1979, Lect. Notes Pure Appl. Math. 68, 111-147 (1982; Zbl 0508.13013).