Characteristic Classes
In characteristic classes, the Vandermonde polynomial corresponds to the Euler class, and its square (the discriminant) corresponds to the top Pontryagin class. This is formalized in the splitting principle, which connects characteristic classes to polynomials.
From the point of view of stable homotopy theory, the fact that the Euler class is an unstable class corresponds to the fact that alternating polynomials (and the Vandermonde polynomial in particular) are unstable.
Read more about this topic: Alternating Polynomial
Famous quotes containing the word classes:
“My plan of instruction is extremely simple and limited. They learn, on week-days, such coarse works as may fit them for servants. I allow of no writing for the poor. My object is not to make fanatics, but to train up the lower classes in habits of industry and piety.”
—Hannah More (1745–1833)