The aim of this paper is to introduce a concrete notion of multiplicity for invariant algebraic curves in polynomial vector fields. In fact, we give several natural definitions and show that they are all equivalent to our main definition, under some "generic" assumptions.In particular, we show that there is a natural equivalence between the algebraic viewpoint (multiplicities defined by extactic curves or exponential factors) and the geometric viewpoint (multiplicities defined by the number of algebraic curves which can appear under bifurcation or by the holonomy group of the curve). Furthermore, via the extactic, we can give an effective method for calculating the multiplicity of a given curve.As applications of our results, we give a solution to the inverse problem of describing the module of vector fields with prescribed algebraic curves with their multiplicities; we also give a completed version of the Darboux theory of integration that takes the multiplicities of the curves into account.In this paper, we have concentrated mainly on the multiplicity of a single irreducible and reduced curve. We hope, however, that the range of equivalent definitions given here already demonstrates that this notion of multiplicity is both natural and useful for applications.

In this paper we study the normal forms of polynomial systems having a set of given generic invariant algebraic curves.

Conditions for the existence of a centre in two-dimensional systems are considered along the lines of Darboux. We show how these methods can be used in the search for maximal numbers of bifurcating limit cycles. We also extend the method to include more degenerate cases such as are encountered in less generic systems. These lead to new classes of integrals. In particular, the Kukles system is considered, and new centre conditions for this system are obtained.

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