On the number of incongruent residues of \(x^4+ax^2+bx\) modulo \(p\) (Q2503369)

For a polynomial \(f(x)\) having integer coefficients and a positive integer \(m\), let \(V_m(f(x))\) be the number of incongruent residues of \(f(x)\) modulo \(m\) with \(x\) an integer. In 1907, \textit{R. Daublebsky von Sterneck} [Wien. Ber. 116, 895--904 (1907; JFM 38.0240.03)] determined \(V_p(f(x))\) for primes \(p>3\) and cubic polynomials \(f\). In this paper, the author determines \(V_m(x^3+a_1x^2+a_2x+a_3)\) for positive integers \(m\), and \(V_p(f(x))\) for certain classes of quartic polynomials \(f\) and for primes \(p>3\). The proofs use standard counting techniques (mostly) and a criterion for the unsolvability of quartic congruences modulo \(p\) going back to T. Skolem.