GENERIC GAUSSIAN IDEALS

The content of a polynomial f(t) is the ideal generated by its coeffic ients. Our aim here is to consider a beautiful formula of Dedekind-Mer tens on the content of the product of two polynomials, to explain some of its features from the Feint of view of Cohen-Macaulay algebras and to apply it to obtain some Noether normalizations of certain toric ri ngs. Furthermore, the structure of the primary decomposition of generi c products is given and some extensions to joins of toric rings are co nsidered. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.