Arnold's problem on monotonicity of the Newton number for surface singularities (Q2302630)

Let \(f:(\mathbb{C}^n,0)\longrightarrow(\mathbb{C},0)\) be a holomorphic isolated singularity, that is, \(f\) possesses an isolated critical point at \(0 \in\mathbb{C}^n\), in the sequel: a singularity, for short. The Milnor number \(\mu(f)\) (see [\textit{J. W. Milnor}, Singular points of complex hypersurfaces. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press and the University of Tokyo Press (1968; Zbl 0184.48405)]) of a generic \(f\) can be expressed, as proved by \textit{A. G. Kushnirenko} [Invent. Math. 32, 1--31 (1976; Zbl 0328.32007)], using a combinatorial object associated to \(f\), the Newton polyhedron \(\Gamma_+(f)\subset\mathbb{R}_+^n\). More precisely, for a generic (meaning non-degenerate in the Kouchnirenko sense) isolated singularity \(f\) its Milnor number \(\mu(f)\) is equal to the Newton number \(\nu(\Gamma_+(f))\) of a combinatorial object associated to \(f\), the Newton polyhedron \(\Gamma_+(f)\). The aim of this paper is to give a simple condition characterizing, in terms of \(\Gamma_+(f)\) and \(\Gamma_+(g)\), the equality \(\nu(\Gamma_+(f))=\nu(\Gamma_+(g))\), for any surface singularities \(f\) and \(g\) satisfying \(\Gamma_+(f)\subset\Gamma_+(g)\). This is a complete solution to an Arnold problem (No. 1982--16 in his list of problems) in this case. The proof proposed for surface singularities, i.e., for \(n=3\), is purely geometrical and elementary. The authors believe that a similar result should be valid in the \(n\)-dimensional case. In addition, the result obtained has interesting applications.