# Why are singular “elliptic” curves bad for crypto?

Consider the algebraic curve given by a short Weierstraß equation $$y^2=x^3+ax+b$$.

If $$4a^3+27b^2=0$$, then there are repeated roots of the right-hand side $$x^3+ax+b$$. How are these repeated roots bad for a discrete-logarithm-based cryptosystem?

• – kelalaka Mar 1 at 17:49

When a Weierstraß equation $$y^2 = x^3 + Ax + B$$ over $$\mathbf F_p$$ has a null discriminant, then it does not define an elliptic curve: it is a singular curve. In that case, it means the polynomial $$x^3 + Ax + B$$ has a double or triple root $$x_0$$ and the point $$(x_0, 0)$$ is a singular point. All the non-singular points still define a group law with the regular construction as in an elliptic curve.

With a change of variable, you can always come back to these two cases:

• $$y^2 = x^3$$, then there are exactly $$p$$ non-singular points and there is an efficient map to the additive group of $$\mathbf F_p$$ where the discrete logarithm is trivial.

• $$y^2 = x^2(x-1)$$, then there are $$p+1$$ or $$p-1$$ points and there is an efficient map to the multiplicative group of $$\mathbf F_{p^2}^*$$ (which has $$p^2 - 1 = (p-1)(p+1)$$ elements) where the discrete logarithm is way easier to compute (but not as easy as the previous case).

In both cases it is very bad for crypto.

To find A,(-3 (n^2)),to find B ,
(-4(A^3))/ 27 )^(1/2).Then IF n is 1, A = -3, B = 2 ,then ( -2×1) is the maximum local x.Then y at this point is zero,
[ -8 + (-3×-2) +2 ]^(1/2) = zero. If x is then -1 ,y is 4, the square root of 4 is 2.Also turns out if any fractional square times a whole number square
,-2 + [(.5)(.5) (1)(1)] =-1.75.Then x at -1.75 ,

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• Hi Tony, we're not so much interested in any direct calculations as a clear indication why and how. Please amend your answer or remove it. – Maarten Bodewes yesterday