Polynomial equations with one catalytic variable, algebraic series and map enumeration (Q2498737)

From the authors' abstract: Let \(F(t,u) \equiv F(u)\) be a formal power series in \(t\) with polynomial coefficients in \(u\). Let \(F_1,\dots,F_k\) be \(k\) formal power series in \(t\), independent of \(u\). Assume that all these series are characterized by a polynomial equation \(P(F(u),F_1,\dots,F_k,t,u)= 0.\) We prove that, under a mild hypothesis on the form of this equation, these \(k+1\) series are algebraic, and we give a strategy to compute a polynomial equation for each of them. This strategy generalizes the so-called kernel method and quadratic method, which apply, respectively, to equations that are linear and quadratic in \(F(u)\). Applications include the solution of numerous map enumeration problems, among which is the hard-particle model on general planar graphs.