The Macaulay2 package SumsOfSquares decomposes polynomials as sums of squares. It is based on methods to rationalize sum-of-squares decompositions due to Parrilo and Peyrl. The package features a data type for sums-of-squares polynomials, support for external semidefinite programming solvers, and optimization over varieties.
We introduce the package GraphicalModelsMLE for computing the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) of a Gaussian graphical model in the computer algebra system Macaulay2. The package allows to compute for the class of loopless mixed graphs. Additional functionality allows to explore the underlying algebraic structure of the model, such as its ML degree and the ideal of score equations.
The Hilberts 17th problem asks that whether every nonnegative polynomial can be a sum of squares of rational functions. It has been answered affirmatively by Artin. However, as to the question whether a given nonnegative polynomial is a sum of squares of polynomials is still a central question in real algebraic geometry. In this paper, we solve this question completely for the nonnegative polynomials associated with isoparametric polynomials (initiated by E. Cartan) which define the focal submanifolds of the corresponding isoparametric hypersurfaces.
We show that the set of real polynomials in two variables that are sums of three squares of rational functions is dense in the set of those that are positive semidefinite. We also prove that the set of real surfaces in P^3 whose function field has level 2 is dense in the set of those that have no real points.
In 2016, while studying restricted sums of integral squares, Sun posed the following conjecture: Every positive integer $n$ can be written as $x^2+y^2+z^2+w^2$ $(x,y,z,winmathbb{N}={0,1,cdots})$ with $x+3y$ a square. Meanwhile, he also conjectured that for each positive integer $n$ there exist integers $x,y,z,w$ such that $n=x^2+y^2+z^2+w^2$ and $x+3yin{4^k:kinmathbb{N}}$. In this paper, we confirm these conjectures via some arithmetic theory of ternary quadratic forms.