Singular point of an algebraic variety

In the mathematical field of algebraic geometry, a singular point of an algebraic variety V is a point P that is 'special' (so, singular), in the geometric sense that at this point the tangent space at the variety may not be regularly defined. In case of varieties defined over the reals, this notion generalizes the notion of local non-flatness. A point of an algebraic variety that is not singular is said to be regular. An algebraic variety that has no singular point is said to be non-singular or smooth. The concept is generalized to smooth schemes in the modern language of scheme theory.

The plane algebraic curve (a cubic curve) of equation y2x2(x + 1) = 0 crosses itself at the origin (0, 0). The origin is a double point of this curve. It is singular because a single tangent may not be correctly defined there.

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