* What is the essence of the similarity between linearly independent sets of columns of a matrix and forests in a graph?
* Why does the greedy algorithm produce a spanning tree of minimum weight in a connected graph?
* Can we test in polynomial time whether a matrix is totally unimodular?
Matroid theory examines and answers questions like these. Seventy-five years of study of matroids has seen the development of a rich theory with links to graphs, lattices, codes, transversals, and projective geometries. Matroids are of fundamental importance in combinatorial optimization and their applications extend into electrical and structural engineering.
This book falls into two parts: the first provides a comprehensive introduction to the basics of matroid theory, while the second treats more advanced topics. The book contains over seven hundred exercises and includes, for the first time in one place, proofs of all of the major theorems in the subject. The last two chapters review current research and list more than eighty unsolved problems along with a description of the progress towards their solutions.
Reviews from previous edition:
"It includes more background, such as finite fields and finite projective and affine geometries, and the level of the exercises is well suited to graduate students. The book is well written and includes a couple of nice touches ... this is a very useful book. I recommend it highly both as an introduction to matroid theory and as a reference work for those already seriously interested in the subject, whether for its own sake or for its applications to other fields." -- AMS Bulletin
"Whoever wants to know what is happening in one of the most exciting chapters of combinatorics has no choice but to buy and peruse Oxley's treatise." -- The Bulletin of Mathematics
"This book is an excellent graduate textbook and reference book on matroid theory. The care that went into the writing of this book is evident by the quality of the exposition." -- Mathematical Reviews

This book is a unique introduction to graph theory, written by one of its founding fathers. It is not intended as a comprehensive treatise, but rather as an account of those parts of the theory that have been of special interest to the author. Professor Tutte details his experiences in the area, and provides a fascinating insight into the processes leading to his proofs.

While the significance of networks in various human behavior and activities has a history as long as human's existence, network awareness is a recent scientific phenomenon. The neologism network science is just one or two decades old. Nevertheless, with this limited time, network thinking has substantially reshaped the recent development in economics, and almost all solutions to real-world problems involve the network element. This book integrates agent-based modeling and network science. It is divided into three parts, namely, foundations, primary dynamics on and of social networks, and applications. The authors begin with the network origin of agent-based models, known as cellular automata, and introduce a number of classic models, such as Schelling's segregation model and Axelrod's spatial game. The essence of the foundation part is the network-based agent-based models in which agents follow network-based decision rules. Under the influence of the substantial progress in network science in late 1990s, these models have been extended from using lattices into using small-world networks, scale-free networks, etc. The text also shows that the modern network science mainly driven by game-theorists and sociophysicists has inspired agent-based social scientists to develop alternative formation algorithms, known as agent-based social networks. It reviews a number of pioneering and representative models in this family. Upon the given foundation, the second part reviews three primary forms of network dynamics, such as diffusions, cascades, and influences. These primary dynamics are further extended and enriched by practical networks in goods-and-service markets, labor markets, and international trade. At the end, the book considers two challenging issues using agent-based models of networks: network risks and economic growth.

In the world of mathematics and computer science, technological advancements are constantly being researched and applied to ongoing issues. Setbacks in social networking, engineering, and automation are themes that affect everyday life, and researchers have been looking for new techniques in which to solve these challenges. Graph theory is a widely studied topic that is now being applied to real-life problems. Advanced Applications of Graph Theory in Modern Society is an essential reference source that discusses recent developments on graph theory, as well as its representation in social networks, artificial neural networks, and many complex networks. The book aims to study results that are useful in the fields of robotics and machine learning and will examine different engineering issues that are closely related to fuzzy graph theory. Featuring research on topics such as artificial neural systems and robotics, this book is ideally designed for mathematicians, research scholars, practitioners, professionals, engineers, and students seeking an innovative overview of graphic theory.

Fixed Point Theory and Graph Theory provides an intersection between the theories of fixed point theorems that give the conditions under which maps (single or multivalued) have solutions and graph theory which uses mathematical structures to illustrate the relationship between ordered pairs of objects in terms of their vertices and directed edges. This edited reference work is perhaps the first to provide a link between the two theories, describing not only their foundational aspects, but also the most recent advances and the fascinating intersection of the domains. The authors provide solution methods for fixed points in different settings, with two chapters devoted to the solutions method for critically important non-linear problems in engineering, namely, variational inequalities, fixed point, split feasibility, and hierarchical variational inequality problems. The last two chapters are devoted to integrating fixed point theory in spaces with the graph and the use of retractions in the fixed point theory for ordered sets.

MESH ist ein mathematisches Video ber vielfl chige Netzwerke und ihre Rolle in der Geometrie, der Numerik und der Computergraphik. Der unter Anwendung der neuesten Technologie vollst ndig computergenierte Film spannt einen Bogen von der antiken griechischen Mathematik zum Gebiet der heutigen geometrischen Modellierung. MESH hat zahlreiche wissenschaftliche Preise weltweit gewonnen. Die Autoren sind Konrad Polthier, ein Professor der Mathematik, und Beau Janzen, ein professioneller Filmdirektor.

Der Film ist ein ausgezeichnetes Lehrmittel f r Kurse in Geometrie, Visualisierung, wissenschaftlichem Rechnen und geometrischer Modellierung an Universit ten, Zentren f r wissenschaftliches Rechnen, kann jedoch auch an Schulen genutzt werden.

Bent Functions: Results and Applications to Cryptography offers a unique survey of the objects of discrete mathematics known as Boolean bent functions. As these maximal, nonlinear Boolean functions and their generalizations have many theoretical and practical applications in combinatorics, coding theory, and cryptography, the text provides a detailed survey of their main results, presenting a systematic overview of their generalizations and applications, and considering open problems in classification and systematization of bent functions. The text is appropriate for novices and advanced researchers, discussing proofs of several results, including the automorphism group of bent functions, the lower bound for the number of bent functions, and more.

Secret sharing schemes form one of the most important topic in Cryptography. These protocols are used in many areas, applied mathematics, computer science, electrical engineering. A secret is divided into several pieces called shares. Each share is given to a user of the system. Each user has no information about the secret, but the secret can be retrieved by certain authorized coalition of users.This book is devoted to such schemes inspired by Coding Theory. The classical schemes of Shamir, Blakley, Massey are recalled. Survey is made of research in Combinatorial Coding Theory they triggered, mostly self-dual codes, and minimal codes. Applications to engineering like image processing, and key management of MANETs are highlighted.

Spectral Radius of Graphs provides a thorough overview of important results on the spectral radius of adjacency matrix of graphs that have appeared in the literature in the preceding ten years, most of them with proofs, and including some previously unpublished results of the author. The primer begins with a brief classical review, in order to provide the reader with a foundation for the subsequent chapters. Topics covered include spectral decomposition, the Perron-Frobenius theorem, the Rayleigh quotient, the Weyl inequalities, and the Interlacing theorem. From this introduction, the book delves deeper into the properties of the principal eigenvector; a critical subject as many of the results on the spectral radius of graphs rely on the properties of the principal eigenvector for their proofs. A following chapter surveys spectral radius of special graphs, covering multipartite graphs, non-regular graphs, planar graphs, threshold graphs, and others. Finally, the work explores results on the structure of graphs having extreme spectral radius in classes of graphs defined by fixing the value of a particular, integer-valued graph invariant, such as: the diameter, the radius, the domination number, the matching number, the clique number, the independence number, the chromatic number or the sequence of vertex degrees. Throughout, the text includes the valuable addition of proofs to accompany the majority of presented results. This enables the reader to learn tricks of the trade and easily see if some of the techniques apply to a current research problem, without having to spend time on searching for the original articles. The book also contains a handful of open problems on the topic that might provide initiative for the reader's research.

Magic squares are among the more popular mathematical recreations. Over the last 50 years, many generalizations of "magic" ideas have been applied to graphs. Recently there has been a resurgence of interest in "magic labelings" due to a number of results that have applications to the problem of decomposing graphs into trees.

Key features of this second edition include:

. a new chapter on magic labeling of directed graphs

. applications of theorems from graph theory and interesting counting arguments

. new research problems and exercises covering a range of difficulties

. a fully updated bibliography and index

This concise, self-contained exposition is unique in its focus on the theory of magic graphs/labelings. It may serve as a graduate or advanced undergraduate text for courses in mathematics or computer science, and as reference for the researcher."

Boolean Structures: Combinatorics, Codification, Representation offers the first analytical and architectural approach to Boolean algebras based combinatorial calculus and codification with applications in IT, quantum information and classification of data.

This two-volume set presents combinatorial functional equations using an algebraic approach, and illustrates their applications in combinatorial maps, graphs, networks, etc. The first volume mainly presents basic concepts and the theoretical background. Differential (ordinary and partial) equations and relevant topics are discussed in detail.

A mathematical gem–freshly cleaned and polished

This book is intended to be used as the text for a first course in combinatorics. the text has been shaped by two goals, namely, to make complex mathematics accessible to students with a wide range of abilities, interests, and motivations; and to create a pedagogical tool, useful to the broad spectrum of instructors who bring a variety of perspectives and expectations to such a course.

Features retained from the first edition:

• Lively and engaging writing style
• Timely and appropriate examples
• Numerous well-chosen exercises
• Flexible modular format
• Optional sections and appendices

Highlights of Second Edition enhancements:

• Smoothed and polished exposition, with a sharpened focus on key ideas
• Expanded discussion of linear codes
• New optional section on algorithms
• Greatly expanded hints and answers section
• Many new exercises and examples

This book comprehensively covers the important efforts in improving the quality of images in visual cryptography (VC), with a focus on cases with gray scale images. It not only covers schemes in traditional VC and extended VC for binary secret images, but also the latest development in the analysis-by-synthesis approach. This book distinguishes itself from the existing literature in three ways. First, it not only reviews traditional VC for binary secret images, but also covers recent efforts in improving visual quality for gray scale secret images. Second, not only traditional quality measures are reviewed, but also measures that were not used for measuring perceptual quality of decrypted secret images, such as Radially Averaged Power Spectrum Density (RAPSD) and residual variance, are employed for evaluating and guiding the design of VC algorithms. Third, unlike most VC books following a mathematical formal style, this book tries to make a balance between engineering intuition and mathematical reasoning. All the targeted problems and corresponding solutions are fully motivated by practical applications and evaluated by experimental tests, while important security issues are presented as mathematical proof. Furthermore, important algorithms are summarized as pseudocodes, thus enabling the readers to reproduce the results in the book. Therefore, this book serves as a tutorial for readers with an engineering background as well as for experts in related areas to understand the basics and research frontiers in visual cryptography.

Modern Applications of Graph Theory discusses many cutting-edge applications of graph theory, such as traffic networks, navigable networks and optimal routing for emergency response, placement of electric vehicle charging stations, and graph-theoretic methods in molecular epidemiology. Due to the rapid growth of research in this field, the focus of the book is on the up-to-date development of these applications and the mathematical methods used to tackle them. Ideal for researchers, engineers, transport planners and emergency response specialists who are interested in graph theory applications, Modern Applications of Graph Theory can also be used as teaching material. In addition to up-to-date descriptions of the applications, it includes extensive exercises and their solutions, mimicking practical, real-life situations. Furthermore, there is an introductory chapter, which provides an overview of basic applications and algorithms of graph theory. The book includes over 120 illustrations and tables.

Magic and antimagic labelings are among the oldest labeling schemes in graph theory. This book takes readers on a journey through these labelings, from early beginnings with magic squares up to the latest results and beyond. Starting from the very basics, the book offers a detailed account of all magic and antimagic type labelings of undirected graphs. Long-standing problems are surveyed and presented along with recent results in classical labelings. In addition, the book covers an assortment of variations on the labeling theme, all in one self-contained monograph. Assuming only basic familiarity with graphs, this book, complete with carefully written proofs of most results, is an ideal introduction to graph labeling for students learning the subject. More than 150 open problems and conjectures make it an invaluable guide for postgraduate and early career researchers, as well as an excellent reference for established graph theorists.

Algebraic combinatorics is the study of combinatorial objects as an extension of the study of finite permutation groups, or, in other words, group theory without groups. In the spirit of Delsarte's theory, this book studies combinatorial objects such as graphs, codes, designs, etc. in the general framework of association schemes, providing a comprehensive overview of the theory as well as pointing out to extensions.

This volume consolidates selected articles from the 2016 Apprenticeship Program at the Fields Institute, part of the larger program on Combinatorial Algebraic Geometry that ran from July through December of 2016. Written primarily by junior mathematicians, the articles cover a range of topics in combinatorial algebraic geometry including curves, surfaces, Grassmannians, convexity, abelian varieties, and moduli spaces. This book bridges the gap between graduate courses and cutting-edge research by connecting historical sources, computation, explicit examples, and new results.

Multidimensional continued fractions form an area of research within number theory. Recently the topic has been linked to research in dynamical systems, and mathematical physics, which means that some of the results discovered in this area have applications in describing physical systems. This book gives a comprehensive and up to date overview of recent research in the area.

In 1974 the editors of the present volume published a well-received book entitled Latin Squares and their Applications''. It included a list of 73 unsolved problems of which about 20 have been completely solved in the intervening period and about 10 more have been partially solved.
The present work comprises six contributed chapters and also six further chapters written by the editors themselves. As well as discussing the advances which have been made in the subject matter of most of the chapters of the earlier book, this new book contains one chapter which deals with a subject (r-orthogonal latin squares) which did not exist when the earlier book was written.
The success of the former book is shown by the two or three hundred published papers which deal with questions raised by it.

This book introduces new methods to analyze vertex-varying graph signals. In many real-world scenarios, the data sensing domain is not a regular grid, but a more complex network that consists of sensing points (vertices) and edges (relating the sensing points). Furthermore, sensing geometry or signal properties define the relation among sensed signal points. Even for the data sensed in the well-defined time or space domain, the introduction of new relationships among the sensing points may produce new insights in the analysis and result in more advanced data processing techniques. The data domain, in these cases and discussed in this book, is defined by a graph. Graphs exploit the fundamental relations among the data points. Processing of signals whose sensing domains are defined by graphs resulted in graph data processing as an emerging field in signal processing. Although signal processing techniques for the analysis of time-varying signals are well established, the corresponding graph signal processing equivalent approaches are still in their infancy. This book presents novel approaches to analyze vertex-varying graph signals. The vertex-frequency analysis methods use the Laplacian or adjacency matrix to establish connections between vertex and spectral (frequency) domain in order to analyze local signal behavior where edge connections are used for graph signal localization. The book applies combined concepts from time-frequency and wavelet analyses of classical signal processing to the analysis of graph signals. Covering analytical tools for vertex-varying applications, this book is of interest to researchers and practitioners in engineering, science, neuroscience, genome processing, just to name a few. It is also a valuable resource for postgraduate students and researchers looking to expand their knowledge of the vertex-frequency analysis theory and its applications. The book consists of 15 chapters contributed by 41 leading researches in the field.

This collection of high-quality articles in the field of combinatorics, geometry, algebraic topology and theoretical computer science is a tribute to Jiri Matousek, who passed away prematurely in March 2015. It is a collaborative effort by his colleagues and friends, who have paid particular attention to clarity of exposition - something Jirka would have approved of. The original research articles, surveys and expository articles, written by leading experts in their respective fields, map Jiri Matousek's numerous areas of mathematical interest.

This workbook is designed to supplement optics textbooks and covers all the traditional topics of geometrical optics. Terms, equations, definitions, and concepts are discussed briefly and explained through a series of problems that are worked out in a step-by-step manner which simplifies the problem-solving process. Additional practice problems are provided at the end of each chapter. * - An indispensable tool when studying for the state and National Boards * - An ideal supplement to optics textbooks * - Covers the traditional topics of geometrical optics.