Regulous Functions over Real Closed Fields

Abstract

Abstract Let $X$ be a quasi-projective algebraic variety over a real closed field $R$, and let $f \colon U \to R$ be a function defined on an open subset $U$ of the set $X(R)$ of $R$-rational points of $X$. Assume that either the function $f$ is locally semialgebraic or the field $R$ is uncountable. If for every irreducible algebraic curve $C \subset X$ the restriction $f|_{U \cap C}$ is continuous and admits a rational representation, then $f$ is continuous and admits a rational representation. There are also suitable versions of this theorem with algebraic curves replaced by algebraic arcs. Heretofore, results of such a type have been known only for $R={\mathbb{R}}$. The transition from ${\mathbb{R}}$ to $R$ is not automatic at all and requires new methods.