Critical points of real polynomials and topology of real algebraic \(T\)-surfaces (Q1419406)

The authors obtain upper bounds for zero and the first Betti numbers of real algebraic surfaces in \(\mathbb{RP}^3\) given by \(T\)-polynomials, real polynomials of a special class introduced by O.Viro [cf. \textit{I. Itenberg}, Rev. Mat. Univ. Complutense Madr. 10, Spec. Iss., 131--152 (1997; Zbl 0904.14033)]. The proof is an easy count of extrema and saddles of generic \(T\)-polynomials of given degree in \(3\) variables. The authors underline that their bounds are stronger than all the known ones for arbitrary real algebraic surfaces in \(\mathbb{RP}^3.\) They also prove the existence of an asymptotically maximal family of real polynomials of degree \(m\) in three variables with \(31m^3/36 + O(m^2)\) saddle points and consider some applications to the higher-dimensional case.