Combinatorics and Matrix Theory have a symbiotic, or mutually beneficial, relationship. This relationship is discussed in my paper The symbiotic relationship of combinatorics and matrix theoryl where I attempted to justify this description. One could say that a more detailed justification was given in my book with H. J. Ryser entitled Combinatorial Matrix Theon? where an attempt was made to give a broad picture of the use of combinatorial ideas in matrix theory and the use of matrix theory in proving theorems which, at least on the surface, are combinatorial in nature. In the book by Liu and Lai, this picture is enlarged and expanded to include recent developments and contributions of Chinese mathematicians, many of which have not been readily available to those of us who are unfamiliar with Chinese journals. Necessarily, there is some overlap with the book Combinatorial Matrix Theory. Some of the additional topics include: spectra of graphs, eulerian graph problems, Shannon capacity, generalized inverses of Boolean matrices, matrix rearrangements, and matrix completions. A topic to which many Chinese mathematicians have made substantial contributions is the combinatorial analysis of powers of nonnegative matrices, and a large chapter is devoted to this topic. This book should be a valuable resource for mathematicians working in the area of combinatorial matrix theory. Richard A. Brualdi University of Wisconsin - Madison 1 Linear Alg. Applies., vols. 162-4, 1992, 65-105 2Camhridge University Press, 1991.

The algorithmic solution of problems has always been one of the major concerns of mathematics. For a long time such solutions were based on an intuitive notion of algorithm. It is only in this century that metamathematical problems have led to the intensive search for a precise and sufficiently general formalization of the notions of computability and algorithm. In the 1930s, a number of quite different concepts for this purpose were pro posed, such as Turing machines, WHILE-programs, recursive functions, Markov algorithms, and Thue systems. All these concepts turned out to be equivalent, a fact summarized in Church's thesis, which says that the resulting definitions form an adequate formalization of the intuitive notion of computability. This had and continues to have an enormous effect. First of all, with these notions it has been possible to prove that various problems are algorithmically unsolvable. Among of group these undecidable problems are the halting problem, the word problem theory, the Post correspondence problem, and Hilbert's tenth problem. Secondly, concepts like Turing machines and WHILE-programs had a strong influence on the development of the first computers and programming languages. In the era of digital computers, the question of finding efficient solutions to algorithmically solvable problems has become increasingly important. In addition, the fact that some problems can be solved very efficiently, while others seem to defy all attempts to find an efficient solution, has called for a deeper under standing of the intrinsic computational difficulty of problems."

The book treats four mathematical concepts which play a fundamental role in many different areas of mathematics: symbolic sums, recurrence (difference) equations, generating functions, and asymptotic estimates. Their key features, in isolation or in combination, their mastery by paper and pencil or by computer programs, and their applications to problems in pure mathematics or to "real world problems" (e.g. the analysis of algorithms) are studied. The book is intended as an algorithmic supplement to the bestselling "Concrete Mathematics" by Graham, Knuth and Patashnik.

This book gives the complete classification of Moufang polygons, starting from first principles. In particular, it may serve as an introduction to the various important algebraic concepts which arise in this classification including alternative division rings, quadratic Jordan division algebras of degree three, pseudo-quadratic forms, BN-pairs and norm splittings of quadratic forms. This book also contains a new proof of the classification of irreducible spherical buildings of rank at least three based on the observation that all the irreducible rank two residues of such a building are Moufang polygons. In an appendix, the connection between spherical buildings and algebraic groups is recalled.

This volume contains revised papers that were presented at the international workshop entitled Computational Methods for Algebraic Spline Surfaces ("COMPASS"), which was held from September 29 to October 3, 2003, at Schloss Weinberg, Kefermarkt (A- tria). The workshop was mainly devoted to approximate algebraic geometry and its - plications. The organizers wanted to emphasize the novel idea of approximate implici- zation, that has strengthened the existing link between CAD / CAGD (Computer Aided Geometric Design) and classical algebraic geometry. The existing methods for exact implicitization (i. e., for conversion from the parametric to an implicit representation of a curve or surface) require exact arithmetic and are too slow and too expensive for industrial use. Thus the duality of an implicit representation and a parametric repres- tation is only used for low degree algebraic surfaces such as planes, spheres, cylinders, cones and toroidal surfaces. On the other hand, this duality is a very useful tool for - veloping ef?cient algorithms. Approximate implicitization makes this duality available for general curves and surfaces. The traditional exact implicitization of parametric surfaces produce global rep- sentations, which are exact everywhere. The surface patches used in CAD, however, are always de?ned within a small box only; they are obtained for a bounded parameter domain (typically a rectangle, or - in the case of "trimmed" surface patches - a subset of a rectangle). Consequently, a globally exact representation is not really needed in practice."

Trees are a fundamental object in graph theory and combinatorics as well as a basic object for data structures and algorithms in computer science. During thelastyearsresearchrelatedto(random)treeshasbeenconstantlyincreasing and several asymptotic and probabilistic techniques have been developed in order to describe characteristics of interest of large trees in di?erent settings. Thepurposeofthisbookistoprovideathoroughintroductionintovarious aspects of trees in randomsettings anda systematic treatment ofthe involved mathematicaltechniques. It shouldserveasa referencebookaswellasa basis for future research. One major conceptual aspect is to connect combinatorial and probabilistic methods that range from counting techniques (generating functions, bijections) over asymptotic methods (singularity analysis, saddle point techniques) to various sophisticated techniques in asymptotic probab- ity (convergence of stochastic processes, martingales). However, the reading of the book requires just basic knowledge in combinatorics, complex analysis, functional analysis and probability theory of master degree level. It is also part of concept of the book to provide full proofs of the major results even if they are technically involved and lengthy.

This book is an introduction to the two closely related subjects of quantum optics and quantum information. The book gives a simple, self-contained introduction to both subjects, while illustrating the physical principles of quantum information processing using quantum optical systems. To make the book accessible to those with backgrounds other than physics, the authors also include a brief review of quantum mechanics. Furthermore, some aspects of quantum information, for example those pertaining to recent experiments on cavity QED and quantum dots, are described here for the first time in book form.

Hungarian mathematics has always been known for discrete mathematics, including combinatorial number theory, set theory and recently random structures, and combinatorial geometry. The recent volume contains high level surveys on these topics with authors mostly being invited speakers for the conference "Horizons of Combinatorics" held in Balatonalmadi, Hungary in 2006. The collection gives an overview of recent trends and results in a large part of combinatorics and related topics.

This textbook illuminates the field of discrete mathematics with examples, theory, and applications of the discrete volume of a polytope. The authors have weaved a unifying thread through basic yet deep ideas in discrete geometry, combinatorics, and number theory. We encounter here a friendly invitation to the field of "counting integer points in polytopes," and its various connections to elementary finite Fourier analysis, generating functions, the Frobenius coin-exchange problem, solid angles, magic squares, Dedekind sums, computational geometry, and more. With 250 exercises and open problems, the reader feels like an active participant.

Lectures: T.H. Brylawski: The Tutte polynomial.- D.J.A. Welsh: Matroids and combinatorial optimisation.- Seminars: M. Barnabei, A. Brini, G.-C. Rota: Un introduzione alla teoria delle funzioni di M bius.- A. Brini: Some remarks on the critical problem.- J. Oxley: On 3-connected matroids and graphs.- R. Peele: The poset of subpartitions and Cayley 's formula for the complexity of a complete graph.- A. Recski: Engineering applications of matroids.- T. Zaslavisky: Voltage-graphic matroids.

Substantially revised, reorganised and updated, the second edition now comprises eighteen chapters, carefully arranged in a straightforward and logical manner, with many new results and open problems.

As well as covering the theoretical aspects of the subject, with detailed proofs of many important results, the authors present a number of algorithms, and whole chapters are devoted to topics such as branchings, feedback arc and vertex sets, connectivity augmentations, sparse subdigraphs with prescribed connectivity, and also packing, covering and decompositions of digraphs. Throughout the book, there is a strong focus on applications which include quantum mechanics, bioinformatics, embedded computing, and the travelling salesman problem.

Detailed indices and topic-oriented chapters ease navigation, and more than 650 exercises, 170 figures and 150 open problems are included to help immerse the reader in all aspects of the subject.

With the advent of approximation algorithms for NP-hard combinatorial optimization problems, several techniques from exact optimization such as the primal-dual method have proven their staying power and versatility. This book describes a simple and powerful method that is iterative in essence, and similarly useful in a variety of settings for exact and approximate optimization. The authors highlight the commonality and uses of this method to prove a variety of classical polyhedral results on matchings, trees, matroids, and flows. The presentation style is elementary enough to be accessible to anyone with exposure to basic linear algebra and graph theory, making the book suitable for introductory courses in combinatorial optimization at the upper undergraduate and beginning graduate levels. Discussions of advanced applications illustrate their potential for future application in research in approximation algorithms.

In the 20th century philosophy of mathematics has to a great extent been dominated by views developed during the so-called foundational crisis in the beginning of that century. These views have primarily focused on questions pertaining to the logical structure of mathematics and questions regarding the justi?cation and consistency of mathematics. Paradigmatic in this - spect is Hilbert's program which inherits from Frege and Russell the project to formalize all areas of ordinary mathematics and then adds the requi- ment of a proof, by epistemically privileged means (?nitistic reasoning), of the consistency of such formalized theories. While interest in modi?ed v- sions of the original foundational programs is still thriving, in the second part of the twentieth century several philosophers and historians of mat- matics have questioned whether such foundational programs could exhaust the realm of important philosophical problems to be raised about the nature of mathematics. Some have done so in open confrontation (and hostility) to the logically based analysis of mathematics which characterized the cl- sical foundational programs, while others (and many of the contributors to this book belong to this tradition) have only called for an extension of the range of questions and problems that should be raised in connection with an understanding of mathematics. The focus has turned thus to a consideration of what mathematicians are actually doing when they produce mathematics. Questions concerning concept-formation, understanding, heuristics, changes instyle of reasoning, the role of analogies and diagrams etc.

This book features articles written by some of the most prominent leading applied mathematicians as well as young and promising ones. The common objective of these articles is to present an important issue which is currently widely discussed in scientific investigation with major human, economic or ecological implications. Each article is as deep as an expert lecture but is also self-contained, so that even isolated scientists with limited resources can profit greatly from it.

The primary aim of this book is to present a coherent introduction to graph theory, suitable as a textbook for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in mathematics and computer science. It provides a systematic treatment of the theory of graphs without sacrificing its intuitive and aesthetic appeal. Commonly used proof techniques are described and illustrated. The book also serves as an introduction to research in graph theory.

In the course of fuzzy technological development, fuzzy graph theory was identified quite early on for its importance in making things work. Two very important and useful concepts are those of granularity and of nonlinear ap proximations. The concept of granularity has evolved as a cornerstone of Lotfi A.Zadeh's theory of perception, while the concept of nonlinear approx imation is the driving force behind the success of the consumer electronics products manufacturing. It is fair to say fuzzy graph theory paved the way for engineers to build many rule-based expert systems. In the open literature, there are many papers written on the subject of fuzzy graph theory. However, there are relatively books available on the very same topic. Professors' Mordeson and Nair have made a real contribution in putting together a very com prehensive book on fuzzy graphs and fuzzy hypergraphs. In particular, the discussion on hypergraphs certainly is an innovative idea. For an experienced engineer who has spent a great deal of time in the lab oratory, it is usually a good idea to revisit the theory. Professors Mordeson and Nair have created such a volume which enables engineers and design ers to benefit from referencing in one place. In addition, this volume is a testament to the numerous contributions Professor John N. Mordeson and his associates have made to the mathematical studies in so many different topics of fuzzy mathematics."

Creativity plays an important role in all human activities, from the visual arts to cinema and theatre, and in particular in science and mathematics .

This volume, published only in English in the series "Mathematics and Culture," stresses the strong links between mathematics, culture and creativity in architecture, contemporary art, geometry, computer graphics, literature, theatre and cinema. So this book is designed not only for mathematicians but for all the people who have an interest in the various aspects of culture, both scientific and literary, with a special emphasis on the visual aspects.

The editors and authors dedicate this book to Bernhard Korte on the occasion of his seventieth birthday. We, the editors, are happy about the overwhelming feedback to our initiative to honor him with this book and with a workshop in Bonn on November 3-7,2008.Althoughthiswouldbeareasontolookback, wewouldratherliketolook forward and see what are the interesting research directions today. This book is written by leading experts in combinatorial optimization. All - pers were carefully reviewed, and eventually twenty-three of the invited papers were accepted for this book. The breadth of topics is typical for the eld: combinatorial optimization builds bridges between areas like combinatorics and graph theory, submodular functions and matroids, network ows and connectivity, approximation algorithms and mat- matical programming, computational geometry and polyhedral combinatorics. All these topics are related, and they are all addressed in this book. Combi- torial optimization is also known for its numerous applications. To limit the scope, however, this book is not primarily about applications, although some are mentioned at various places. Most papers in this volume are surveys that provide an excellent overview of an activeresearcharea, butthisbookalsocontainsmanynewresults.Highlightingmany of the currently most interesting research directions in combinatorial optimization, we hope that this book constitutes a good basis for future research in these area

Leave nothing to chance. This cliche embodies the common belief that ran domness has no place in carefully planned methodologies, every step should be spelled out, each i dotted and each t crossed. In discrete mathematics at least, nothing could be further from the truth. Introducing random choices into algorithms can improve their performance. The application of proba bilistic tools has led to the resolution of combinatorial problems which had resisted attack for decades. The chapters in this volume explore and celebrate this fact. Our intention was to bring together, for the first time, accessible discus sions of the disparate ways in which probabilistic ideas are enriching discrete mathematics. These discussions are aimed at mathematicians with a good combinatorial background but require only a passing acquaintance with the basic definitions in probability (e.g. expected value, conditional probability). A reader who already has a firm grasp on the area will be interested in the original research, novel syntheses, and discussions of ongoing developments scattered throughout the book. Some of the most convincing demonstrations of the power of these tech niques are randomized algorithms for estimating quantities which are hard to compute exactly. One example is the randomized algorithm of Dyer, Frieze and Kannan for estimating the volume of a polyhedron. To illustrate these techniques, we consider a simple related problem. Suppose S is some region of the unit square defined by a system of polynomial inequalities: Pi (x. y) ~ o.

Random Generation of Trees is about a field on the crossroads between computer science, combinatorics and probability theory. Computer scientists need random generators for performance analysis, simulation, image synthesis, etc. In this context random generation of trees is of particular interest. The algorithms presented here are efficient and easy to code. Some aspects of Horton--Strahler numbers, programs written in C and pictures are presented in the appendices. The complexity analysis is done rigorously both in the worst and average cases. Random Generation of Trees is intended for students in computer science and applied mathematics as well as researchers interested in random generation.

In the last thirty years Computational Geometry has emerged as a new discipline from the field of design and analysis of algorithms. That dis cipline studies geometric problems from a computational point of view, and it has attracted enormous research interest. But that interest is mostly concerned with Euclidean Geometry (mainly the plane or Eu clidean 3-dimensional space). Of course, there are some important rea sons for this occurrence since the first applieations and the bases of all developments are in the plane or in 3-dimensional space. But, we can find also some exceptions, and so Voronoi diagrams on the sphere, cylin der, the cone, and the torus have been considered previously, and there are manY works on triangulations on the sphere and other surfaces. The exceptions mentioned in the last paragraph have appeared to try to answer some quest ions which arise in the growing list of areas in which the results of Computational Geometry are applicable, since, in practiee, many situations in those areas lead to problems of Com putational Geometry on surfaces (probably the sphere and the cylinder are the most common examples). We can mention here some specific areas in which these situations happen as engineering, computer aided design, manufacturing, geographie information systems, operations re search, roboties, computer graphics, solid modeling, etc."

Parallel and distributed computation has been gaining a great lot of attention in the last decades. During this period, the advances attained in computing and communication technologies, and the reduction in the costs of those technolo gies, played a central role in the rapid growth of the interest in the use of parallel and distributed computation in a number of areas of engineering and sciences. Many actual applications have been successfully implemented in various plat forms varying from pure shared-memory to totally distributed models, passing through hybrid approaches such as distributed-shared memory architectures. Parallel and distributed computation differs from dassical sequential compu tation in some of the following major aspects: the number of processing units, independent local dock for each unit, the number of memory units, and the programming model. For representing this diversity, and depending on what level we are looking at the problem, researchers have proposed some models to abstract the main characteristics or parameters (physical components or logical mechanisms) of parallel computers. The problem of establishing a suitable model is to find a reasonable trade-off among simplicity, power of expression and universality. Then, be able to study and analyze more precisely the behavior of parallel applications."

Bayesian decision theory is known to provide an effective framework for the practical solution of discrete and nonconvex optimization problems. This book is the first to demonstrate that this framework is also well suited for the exploitation of heuristic methods in the solution of such problems, especially those of large scale for which exact optimization approaches can be prohibitively costly. The book covers all aspects ranging from the formal presentation of the Bayesian Approach, to its extension to the Bayesian Heuristic Strategy, and its utilization within the informal, interactive Dynamic Visualization strategy. The developed framework is applied in forecasting, in neural network optimization, and in a large number of discrete and continuous optimization problems. Specific application areas which are discussed include scheduling and visualization problems in chemical engineering, manufacturing process control, and epidemiology. Computational results and comparisons with a broad range of test examples are presented. The software required for implementation of the Bayesian Heuristic Approach is included. Although some knowledge of mathematical statistics is necessary in order to fathom the theoretical aspects of the development, no specialized mathematical knowledge is required to understand the application of the approach or to utilize the software which is provided. Audience: The book is of interest to both researchers in operations research, systems engineering, and optimization methods, as well as applications specialists concerned with the solution of large scale discrete and/or nonconvex optimization problems in a broad range of engineering and technological fields. It may be used as supplementary material for graduate level courses.

Steven Finch provides 136 essays, each devoted to a mathematical constant or a class of constants, from the well known to the highly exotic. This book is helpful both to readers seeking information about a specific constant, and to readers who desire a panoramic view of all constants coming from a particular field, for example, combinatorial enumeration or geometric optimization. Unsolved problems appear virtually everywhere as well. This work represents a scholarly attempt to bring together all significant mathematical constants in one place.

These notes are devoted to the study of some classical problems in the Geometry of Banach spaces. The novelty lies in the fact that their solution relies heavily on techniques coming from Descriptive Set Theory. Thecentralthemeisuniversalityproblems.Inparticular, thetextprovides an exposition of the methods developed recently in order to treat questions of the following type: (Q) LetC be a class of separable Banach spaces such that every space X in the classC has a certain property, say property (P). When can we ?nd a separable Banach space Y which has property (P) and contains an isomorphic copy of every member ofC? We will consider quite classical properties of Banach spaces, such as "- ing re?exive," "having separable dual," "not containing an isomorphic copy of c," "being non-universal," etc. 0 It turns out that a positive answer to problem (Q), for any of the above mentioned properties, is possible if (and essentially only if) the classC is "simple." The "simplicity" ofC is measured in set theoretic terms. Precisely, if the classC is analytic in a natural "coding" of separable Banach spaces, then we can indeed ?nd a separable space Y which is universal for the class C and satis?es the requirements imposed above.