Algorithms for quadratic forms

AbstractWe present algorithms for square classes, quadratic forms and Witt classes of quadratic forms over the field of rational functions of one variable over the reals. The algorithms are capable of: finding the unique representative of a square class, deciding if a given function is a square or a sum of squares and deciding if a quadratic form is isotropic or hyperbolic. Moreover we propose a representation for Witt classes of quadratic forms. With this representation one can manipulate Witt classes without operating directly on their coefficients. We present algorithms both for computing this representation and manipulating Witt classes