On the norm theorem for semisingular quadratic forms (Q2385793)

For quadratic forms over fields of characteristic not 2, \textit{M. Knebusch} [Acta Arith. 24, 279--299 (1973; Zbl 0287.15010)] proved the so called norm theorem that says that for \(p\in F[x_1,\dots,x_n]\) irreducible and normed, an anisotropic quadratic form \(\varphi\) becomes hyperbolic over the quotient field of \(F[x_1,\dots,x_n]/(p)\) if and only if \(\varphi\) is isometric to \(p\varphi\) over \(F(x_1,\dots,x_n).\) For quadratic forms in characteristic 2 the approach to the norm theorem requires treating separately various types of quadratic forms. First \textit{R. Baeza} [Commun. Algebra 18, 1337--1348 (1990; Zbl 0711.11019)] proved the norm theorm for nonsingular quadratic form. Quite recently the first author [Rocky Mt. J. Math. 36, 575--592 (2006; Zbl 1142.11020)] extended this theorem to the case of totally singular quadratic forms. In the paper under review the authors consider the case of semisingular quadratic forms. It is known that in characteristic 2 any quadratic form \(\varphi\) can be written up to isometry as \([a_1,b_1]\perp\dots\perp[a_r,b_r]\perp(c_1)\perp\dots\perp(c_s).\) A form \(\varphi\) is called semisingular if \(\dim\varphi> s >0.\) The main theorem gives necessary conditions for an irreducible and norm polynomial to be a norm of a semisingular quadratic form and says that these conditions are sufficient if the polynomial is given by a quadratic form which reperesents 1. Another result refers to Cassels-Pfister subform theorem known in characteristic not 2. In the case of characteristic 2 the first author and \textit{D. W. Hoffmann} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 356, 4019--4053 (2004; Zbl 1116.11020)] extended this theorem for nonsingular quadratic forms. In this paper the subform theorem for semisingular forms is examined.