Arrondo Esteban, EnriqueSendra, JuanaSendra, J. Rafael2023-06-202023-06-201997-03-020747-717110.1006/jsco.1996.0088https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/57182In this paper we extend the classical notion of offset to the concept of generalized offset to hypersurfaces. In addition, we present a complete theoretical analysis of the rationality and unirationality of generalized offsets. Characterizations for deciding whether the generalized offset to a hypersurface is parametric or it has two parametric components are given. As an application, an algorithm to analyse the rationality of the components of the generalized offset to a plane curve or to a surface, and to compute rational parametrizations of its rational components, is outlined.engjournal articlehttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/07477171restricted access512.7CurvesGeometria algebraica1201.01 Geometría Algebraica