For algebraic curves with genus 1 one can compute a number called the j invariant. An important property of this j invariant is the following: two elliptic (i.e. genus = 1) curves are birationally equivalent (i.e. can be transformed to each other with rational transformations over an algebraically closed field of constants) if and only if their j invariants are the same.

The curve must be irreducible and have genus 1, otherwise the j invariant is not defined and this procedure will fail.