Positivity of mixed multiplicities (Q5927632)

For a standard bigraded algebra \(R=\bigoplus_{(u,v)\in\mathbb{N}^2}R_{(u,v)}\), over an artinian local ring \(K=R_{(0,0)}\), the paper provides a criterion for the positivity of the mixed multiplicities of \(R\), also expressing them in terms of Samuel's multiplicities. The same problems are investigated for the mixed multiplicities of ideals, this time giving a criterion for the positivity of \(e(I|J)\) where \(I\) is an \({\mathfrak m}\)-primary ideal and \(J\) an arbitrary ideal of a local ring \((A,{\mathfrak m})\). Several very interesting geometrical applications are given.