text: We consider solutions to the equation f = h^r for polynomials f and h and integer r > 1. Given a polynomial f in the lacunary (also called sparse or super-sparse) representation, we first show how to determine if f can be written as h^r and, if so, to find such an r. This is a Monte Carlo randomized algorithm whose cost is polynomial in the number of non-zero terms of f and in log(deg f), i.e., polynomial in the size of the lacunary representation, and it works over GF(q)[x] (for large characteristic) as well as Q[x]. We also give two deterministic algorithms to compute the perfect root h given f and r. The first is output-sensitive (based on the sparsity of h) and works only over Q[x]. A sparsity-sensitive Newton iteration forms the basis for the second approach to computing h, which is extremely efficient and works over both GF(q)[x] (for large characteristic) and Q[x], but depends on a number-theoretic conjecture. Work of Erdos, Schinzel, Zannier, and others suggests that both of these algorithms are unconditionally polynomial-time in the lacunary size of the input polynomial f. Finally, we demonstrate the efficiency of the randomized detection algorithm and the latter perfect root computation algorithm with an implementation in the C++ library NTL.
  @cite_12: Three theorems are presented that establish polynomial straight-line complexity for certain operations on polynomials given by straight-line programs of unbounded input degree. The first theorem shows how to compute a higher order partial derivative in a single variable. The other two theorems impose the degree of the output polynomial as a parameter of the length of the output program. First it is shown that if a straight-line program computes an arbitrary power of a multivariate polynomial, that polynomial also admits a polynomial bounded straight-line computation. Second, any factor of a multivariate polynomial given by a division-free straight-line program with relatively prime co-factor also admits a straight-line computation of length polynomial in the input length and the degree of the factor. This result is based on a new Hensel lifting process, one where only one factor image is lifted back to the original factor. As an application we get that the greatest common divisor of polynomials given by a division-free straight-line program has polynomial straight-line complexity in terms of the input length and its own degree.
summary: Newton iteration has also been applied to finding perfect polynomial roots of lacunary (or other) polynomials given by straight-line programs. @cite_12 shows how to compute a straight-line program for @math , given a straight-line program for @math and the value of @math . This method has complexity polynomial in the size of the straight-line program for @math , and in the degree of @math , and in particular is effective for large @math . We do not address the powerful generality of straight-line programs, but do avoid the dependence on the degree of @math .