Real Algebraic Threefolds I: Terminal Singularities

Abstract

This is the first of a series of papers studying real algebraic threefolds using the minimal model program. The main results are outlined in Part II. The present part I. contains the necessary preliminary work concerning terminal singularities. First I give standard forms for 3-dimensional terminal singularities over arbitrary fields. This is then used to develop a fairly complete topological classification over the reals.