English

Formalizing Wu-Ritt Method in Lean 4

Commutative Algebra 2026-04-21 v1 Logic in Computer Science

Abstract

We formalize the Wu-Ritt characteristic set method for the triangular decomposition of polynomial systems in the Lean 4 theorem prover. Our development includes the core algebraic notions of the method, such as polynomial initials, orders, pseudo-division, pseudo-remainders with respect to a polynomial or a triangular set, and standard and weak ascending sets. On this basis, we formalize algorithms for computing basic sets, characteristic sets, and zero decompositions, and prove their termination and correctness. In particular, we formalize the well-ordering principle relating a polynomial system to its characteristic set and verify that zero decomposition expresses the zero set of the original system as a union of zero sets of triangular sets away from the zeros of the corresponding initials. This work provides a machine-checked verification of Wu-Ritt's method in Lean 4 and establishes a foundation for certified polynomial system solving and geometric theorem proving.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2604.14912,
  title  = {Formalizing Wu-Ritt Method in Lean 4},
  author = {Yuxuan Xiao and Hao Shen and Junyu Guo and Dingkang Wang and Lihong Zhi},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2604.14912},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

10 pages

R2 v1 2026-07-01T12:12:30.255Z