Although research in curve shortening flow has been very active for nearly 20 years, the results of those efforts have remained scattered throughout the literature. For the first time, The Curve Shortening Problem collects and illuminates those results in a comprehensive, rigorous, and self-contained account of the fundamental results. The authors present a complete treatment of the Gage-Hamilton theorem, a clear, detailed exposition of Grayson's convexity theorem, a systematic discussion of invariant solutions, applications to the existence of simple closed geodesics on a surface, and a new, almost convexity theorem for the generalized curve shortening problem. Many questions regarding curve shortening remain outstanding. With its careful exposition and complete guide to the literature, The Curve Shortening Problem provides not only an outstanding starting point for graduate students and new investigations, but a superb reference that presents intriguing new results for those already active in the field.

Boolean algebras have historically played a special role in the development of the theory of general or "universal" algebraic systems, providing important links between algebra and analysis, set theory, mathematical logic, and computer science. It is not surprising then that focusing on specific properties of Boolean algebras has lead to new directions in universal algebra. In the first unified study of polynomial completeness, Polynomial Completeness in Algebraic Systems focuses on and systematically extends another specific property of Boolean algebras: the property of affine completeness. The authors present full proof that all affine complete varieties are congruence distributive and that they are finitely generated if and only if they can be presented using only a finite number of basic operations. In addition to these important findings, the authors describe the different relationships between the properties of lattices of equivalence relations and the systems of functions compatible with them. An introductory chapter surveys the appropriate background material, exercises in each chapter allow readers to test their understanding, and open problems offer new research possibilities. Thus Polynomial Completeness in Algebraic Systems constitutes an accessible, coherent presentation of this rich topic valuable to both researchers and graduate students in general algebraic systems.

Group inverses for singular M-matrices are useful tools not only in matrix analysis, but also in the analysis of stochastic processes, graph theory, electrical networks, and demographic models. Group Inverses of M-Matrices and Their Applications highlights the importance and utility of the group inverses of M-matrices in several application areas. After introducing sample problems associated with Leslie matrices and stochastic matrices, the authors develop the basic algebraic and spectral properties of the group inverse of a general matrix. They then derive formulas for derivatives of matrix functions and apply the formulas to matrices arising in a demographic setting, including the class of Leslie matrices. With a focus on Markov chains, the text shows how the group inverse of an appropriate M-matrix is used in the perturbation analysis of the stationary distribution vector as well as in the derivation of a bound for the asymptotic convergence rate of the underlying Markov chain. It also illustrates how to use the group inverse to compute and analyze the mean first passage matrix for a Markov chain. The final chapters focus on the Laplacian matrix for an undirected graph and compare approaches for computing the group inverse. Collecting diverse results into a single volume, this self-contained book emphasizes the connections between problems arising in Markov chains, Perron eigenvalue analysis, and spectral graph theory. It shows how group inverses offer valuable insight into each of these areas.

Since abstract algebra is so important to the study of advanced mathematics, it is critical that students have a firm grasp of its principles and underlying theories before moving on to further study. To accomplish this, they require a concise, accessible, user-friendly textbook that is both challenging and stimulating. A First Graduate Course in Abstract Algebra is just such a textbook. Divided into two sections, this book covers both the standard topics (groups, modules, rings, and vector spaces) associated with abstract algebra and more advanced topics such as Galois fields, noncommutative rings, group extensions, and Abelian groups. The author includes review material where needed instead of in a single chapter, giving convenient access with minimal page turning. He also provides ample examples, exercises, and problem sets to reinforce the material. This book illustrates the theory of finitely generated modules over principal ideal domains, discusses tensor products, and demonstrates the development of determinants. It also covers Sylow theory and Jordan canonical form. A First Graduate Course in Abstract Algebra is ideal for a two-semester course, providing enough examples, problems, and exercises for a deep understanding. Each of the final three chapters is logically independent and can be covered in any order, perfect for a customized syllabus.

In the 2012-13 academic year, the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, Berkeley, hosted programs in Commutative Algebra (Fall 2012 and Spring 2013) and Noncommutative Algebraic Geometry and Representation Theory (Spring 2013). There have been many significant developments in these fields in recent years; what is more, the boundary between them has become increasingly blurred. This was apparent during the MSRI program, where there were a number of joint seminars on subjects of common interest: birational geometry, D-modules, invariant theory, matrix factorizations, noncommutative resolutions, singularity categories, support varieties, and tilting theory, to name a few. These volumes reflect the lively interaction between the subjects witnessed at MSRI. The Introductory Workshops and Connections for Women Workshops for the two programs included lecture series by experts in the field. The volumes include a number of survey articles based on these lectures, along with expository articles and research papers by participants of the programs. Volume 1 contains expository papers ideal for those entering the field.

The history of mathematics is, to a considerable extent, connected with the study of solutions of the equation f(x)=a=const for functions f(x) of one real or complex variable. Therefore, it is surprising that we know very little about solutions of u(x,y)=A=const for functions of two real variables. These two solutions, called level of sets, are very important with regard to applications in physics, biology and economics as they make a map of appropriate processes described by the function u(x,y) for given parameters (x,y). This text explores a concept, Gamma-lines, which generalizes the concept of levels of sets and, at the same time, the concept of a-points. The authors provide a book on Gamma-lines for the broad specialist and show the large range of their field of applications. The general methods proposed in this volume are useful for both physicists and engineers.

The present volume has its source in the CAP-CRM summer school on "Particles and Fields" that was held in Banff in the summer of 1994. Over the years, the Division of Theoretical Physics of the Canadian Associa- tion of Physicists (CAP) has regularly sponsored such schools on various theoretical and experimental topics. In 1994, the Centre de Recherches Mathematiques (CRM) lent its support to the event. This institute, located in Montreal, is one of Canada's national research centers in the mathe- matical sciences. Its mandate includes the organization of scientific events across Canada and since 1994 the CRM has been holding a yearly summer school in Banff as part of its thematic program. The summer school, whose lectures are collected here, has thus become a tradition. The focus of the school was integrable theories, matrix models, statistical systems, field theory and its applications to condensed matter physics, as well as certain aspects of algebra, geometry, and topology. This covers some of the most significant advances in modern theoretical physics. The present volume updates and expands these lectures and reflects the high pedagogical level of the school. The first chapter by E. Corrigan describes some of the remarkable fea- tures of the integrable Toda field theories which are associated with affine Dynkin diagrams. The second chapter by J. Feldman, H. Knorrer, D. Leh- mann, and E.

This volume is intended to allow mathematicians and physicists, especially analysts, to learn about nonlinear problems which arise in Riemannian Geometry. Analysis on Riemannian manifolds is a field currently undergoing great development. More and more, analysis proves to be a very powerful means for solving geometrical problems. Conversely, geometry may help us to solve certain problems in analysis. There are several reasons why the topic is difficult and interesting. It is very large and almost unexplored. On the other hand, geometric problems often lead to limiting cases of known problems in analysis, sometimes there is even more than one approach, and the already existing theoretical studies are inadequate to solve them. Each problem has its own particular difficulties. Nevertheless there exist some standard methods which are useful and which we must know to apply them. One should not forget that our problems are motivated by geometry, and that a geometrical argument may simplify the problem under investigation. Examples of this kind are still too rare. This work is neither a systematic study of a mathematical field nor the presentation of a lot of theoretical knowledge. On the contrary, I do my best to limit the text to the essential knowledge. I define as few concepts as possible and give only basic theorems which are useful for our topic. But I hope that the reader will find this sufficient to solve other geometrical problems by analysis.

Just as the circle number or the Euler constant e determines mathematics, fundamental constants of nature define the scales of the natural sciences. This book presents a new perspective by means of a few axioms and compares the resulting validity with experimental data. By the axiomatic approach Sommerfeld's mysterious fine-structure constant and Dirac's cosmic number are fixed as pure number constants. Thanks to these number constants, it is possible to calculate the value for the anomalous magnetic-moment of the electron in a simple way compared to QED calculations. With the same number constants it is also possible to calculate masses, partial lifetimes, magnetic-moments or charge radii of fundamental particles. The expressions used for the calculations, with few exceptions, yield values within the experimental error limits of the Particle Data Group. The author shows that the introduced number constants give even better predictions than the complicated QED calculations of today's doctrine. In the first part only experimental data from the literature for checking the postulates are used. In the second part the author explains electrical transport measurements with emergent behaviour, which were carried out in a professional environment.

Our self-contained volume provides an accessible introduction to linear and multilinear algebra as well as tensor calculus. Besides the standard techniques for linear algebra, multilinear algebra and tensor calculus, many advanced topics are included where emphasis is placed on the Kronecker product and tensor product. The Kronecker product has widespread applications in signal processing, discrete wavelets, statistical physics, Hopf algebra, Yang-Baxter relations, computer graphics, fractals, quantum mechanics, quantum computing, entanglement, teleportation and partial trace. All these fields are covered comprehensively.The volume contains many detailed worked-out examples. Each chapter includes useful exercises and supplementary problems. In the last chapter, software implementations are provided for different concepts. The volume is well suited for pure and applied mathematicians as well as theoretical physicists and engineers.New topics added to the third edition are: mutually unbiased bases, Cayley transform, spectral theorem, nonnormal matrices, Gateaux derivatives and matrices, trace and partial trace, spin coherent states, Clebsch-Gordan series, entanglement, hyperdeterminant, tensor eigenvalue problem, Carleman matrix and Bell matrix, tensor fields and Ricci tensors, and software implementations.

This book contains the proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Noncommutative Rings and their Applications, held from June 12-15, 2017, at the University of Artois, Lens, France. The papers are related to noncommutative rings, covering topics such as: ring theory, with both the elementwise and more structural approaches developed; module theory with popular topics such as automorphism invariance, almost injectivity, ADS, and extending modules; and coding theory, both the theoretical aspects such as the extension theorem and the more applied ones such as Construction A or Reed-Muller codes. Classical topics like enveloping skewfields, weak Hopf algebras, and tropical algebras are also presented.

This volume contains the proceedings of the scientific session ``Hopf Algebras and Tensor Categories'', held from July 27-28, 2017, at the Mathematical Congress of the Americas in Montreal, Canada. Papers highlight the latest advances and research directions in the theory of tensor categories and Hopf algebras. Primary topics include classification and structure theory of tensor categories and Hopf algebras, Gelfand-Kirillov dimension theory for Nichols algebras, module categories and weak Hopf algebras, Hopf Galois extensions, graded simple algebras, and bialgebra coverings.

This book gives a coherent and detailed description of analytical methods devised to study random matrices. These methods are critical to the understanding of various fields in in mathematics and mathematical physics, such as nuclear excitations, ultrasonic resonances of structural materials, chaotic systems, the zeros of the Riemann and other zeta functions. More generally they apply to the characteristic energies of any sufficiently complicated system and which have found, since the publication of the second edition, many new applications in active research areas such as quantum gravity, traffic and communications networks or stock movement in the financial markets.
This revised and enlarged third edition reflects the latest developements in the field and convey a greater experience with results previously formulated. For example, the theory of skew-orthogoanl and bi-orthogonal polynomials, parallel to that of the widely known and used orthogonal polynomials, is explained here for the first time.
-Presentation of many new results in one place for the first time.
-First time coverage of skew-orthogonal and bi-orthogonal polynomials and their use in the evaluation of some multiple integrals.
-Fredholm determinants and Painleve equations.
-The three Gaussian ensembles (unitary, orthogonal, and symplectic); their n-point correlations, spacing probabilities.
-Fredholm determinants and inverse scattering theory.
-Probability densities of random determinants.

Based on a graduate course taught at Utrecht University, this book provides a short introduction to the theory of Foliations and Lie Groupoids to students who have already taken a first course in differential geometry. Ieke Moerdijk and Janez Mrcun include detailed references to enable students to find the requisite background material in the research literature. The text features many exercises and worked examples.

The central theme of this book is a detailed exposition of the geometric technique of calculating syzygies. While this is an important tool in algebraic geometry, Jerzy Weyman has elected to write from the point of view of commutative algebra in order to avoid being tied to special cases from geometry. No prior knowledge of representation theory is assumed. Chapters on several applications are included, and numerous exercises will give the reader insight into how to apply this important method.

Fundamental to all areas of mathematics, algebra provides the cornerstone for the student’s development. The concepts are often intuitive, but some can take years of study to absorb fully. For over twenty years, the author’s classic three-volume set, Algebra, has been regarded by many as the most outstanding introductory work available. This work, Classic Algebra, combines a fully updated Volume 1 with the essential topics from Volumes 2 and 3, and provides a self-contained introduction to the subject. In addition to the basic concepts, advanced material is introduced, giving the reader an insight into more advanced algebraic topics. The clear presentation style gives this book the edge over others on the subject. Undergraduates studying first courses in algebra will benefit from the clear exposition and perfect balance of theory, examples and exercises. The book provides a good basis for those studying more advanced algebra courses.

• Complete and rigorous coverage of the important basic concepts
• Topics covered include sets, mappings, groups, matrices, vector spaces, fields, rings and modules
• Written in a lucid style, with each concept carefully explained
• Introduces more advanced topics and suggestions for further reading
• Contains over 800 exercises, including many solutions

The application of fractals and fractal geometry in soil science has become increasingly important over the last few years. This self-contained and timely book was designed to provide detailed and comprehensive information on the current status of the application of fractal geometry in soil science, and on prospects for its future use. With a detailed and specific introductory chapter, particular attention is paid to comparing and contrasting "fractal" and "fragmentation" concepts. Some uses of fractals, such as to quantify the retention and transport properties of soils, to describe the intricate geometry of pore surfaces and macropore networks, or to elucidate the rooting patterns of various plants, are discussed. Applications of fractals in soil science are both relatively recent and in constant evolution. This book reflects accurately existing trends, by allowing sharp differences among the viewpoints expressed in contributed chapters to be presented to the reader in one self-contained volume.

This volume contains the proceedings of the Conference on Representation Theory and Algebraic Geometry, held in honor of Joseph Bernstein, from June 11-16, 2017, at the Weizmann Institute of Science and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The topics reflect the decisive and diverse impact of Bernstein on representation theory in its broadest scope.

Whilst innovation remains of course an approach, a process, and is still often even reduced to a set of results, it essentially reflects a way of thinking evolution. Time is up for varying the thinking methods according to capacities and learned and available competencies with a view to change the thinking level. No domain and no sector is immune to this transformation in todays world Having clarified our ideas through this book, we remain ever more convinced that the leveled maturity approach will lead to real advances in innovation over the 2020 years. Hence the competitive capacities of organizations must evolve. As we strive in our quest for new inspiration sources in business, let us reckon that all is bound to evolving including the way to evolve. In that resides the very capacity to innovate.

If you've ever struggled to understand mathematics or wondered how you would ever apply what you've learned in your math courses, Gustafson/Hughes' popular COLLEGE ALGEBRA, 13th Edition is for you. This reader-friendly, clear edition offers precise coverage supported by numerous, easy-to-follow examples and many new or updated learning features. All content and learning support throughout this edition is designed to guide you and provide immediate help just when you need it. Revisions clarify the material with new exercises like Fix It that deepen your problem-solving skills and other exercises that strengthen your understanding of procedures. Review exercises and special modules help address any gaps in your knowledge. In addition, Tips, Cautions and color-coded boxes identify key vocabulary, concepts and problem-solving strategies. WebAssign tools for interactive review and reinforcement are also available to keep you progressing.

Cox rings are significant global invariants of algebraic varieties, naturally generalizing homogeneous coordinate rings of projective spaces. This book provides a largely self-contained introduction to Cox rings, with a particular focus on concrete aspects of the theory. Besides the rigorous presentation of the basic concepts, other central topics include the case of finitely generated Cox rings and its relation to toric geometry; various classes of varieties with group actions; the surface case; and applications in arithmetic problems, in particular Manin's conjecture. The introductory chapters require only basic knowledge in algebraic geometry. The more advanced chapters also touch on algebraic groups, surface theory, and arithmetic geometry. Each chapter ends with exercises and problems. These comprise mini-tutorials and examples complementing the text, guided exercises for topics not discussed in the text, and, finally, several open problems of varying difficulty.

Elementary Differential Equations, Second Edition is written with the knowledge that there has been a dramatic change in the past century in how solutions to differential equations are calculated. However, the way the topic has been taught in introductory courses has barely changed to reflect these advances, which leaves students at a disadvantage. This second edition has been created to address these changes and help instructors facilitate new teaching methods and the latest tools, which includes computers. The text is designed to help instructors who want to use computers in their classrooms. It accomplishes this by emphasizing and integrating computers in teaching elementary or ordinary differential equations. Many examples and exercises included in the text require the use of computer software to solve problems. It should be noted that since instructors use their own preferred software, this book has been written to be independent of any specific software package. Features: Focuses on numerical methods and computing to generate solutions Features extensive coverage of nonlinear differential equations and nonlinear systems Includes software programs to solve problems in the text which are located on the author's website Contains a wider variety of non-mathematical models than any competing textbook This second edition is a valuable, up-to-date tool for instructors teaching courses about differential equations. It serves as an excellent introductory textbook for undergraduate students majoring in applied mathematics, computer science, various engineering disciplines and other sciences. They also will find that the textbook will aide them greatly in their professional careers because of its instructions on how to use computers to solve equations.

Representation Theory of Symmetric Groups is the most up-to-date abstract algebra book on the subject of symmetric groups and representation theory. Utilizing new research and results, this book can be studied from a combinatorial, algorithmic or algebraic viewpoint. This book is an excellent way of introducing today's students to representation theory of the symmetric groups, namely classical theory. From there, the book explains how the theory can be extended to other related combinatorial algebras like the Iwahori-Hecke algebra. In a clear and concise manner, the author presents the case that most calculations on symmetric group can be performed by utilizing appropriate algebras of functions. Thus, the book explains how some Hopf algebras (symmetric functions and generalizations) can be used to encode most of the combinatorial properties of the representations of symmetric groups. Overall, the book is an innovative introduction to representation theory of symmetric groups for graduate students and researchers seeking new ways of thought.

A Course in Differential Equations with Boundary Value Problems, 2nd Edition adds additional content to the author's successful A Course on Ordinary Differential Equations, 2nd Edition. This text addresses the need when the course is expanded. The focus of the text is on applications and methods of solution, both analytical and numerical, with emphasis on methods used in the typical engineering, physics, or mathematics student's field of study. The text provides sufficient problems so that even the pure math major will be sufficiently challenged. The authors offer a very flexible text to meet a variety of approaches, including a traditional course on the topic. The text can be used in courses when partial differential equations replaces Laplace transforms. There is sufficient linear algebra in the text so that it can be used for a course that combines differential equations and linear algebra. Most significantly, computer labs are given in MATLAB (R), Mathematica (R), and Maple (TM). The book may be used for a course to introduce and equip the student with a knowledge of the given software. Sample course outlines are included. Features MATLAB (R), Mathematica (R), and Maple (TM) are incorporated at the end of each chapter. All three software packages have parallel code and exercises; There are numerous problems of varying difficulty for both the applied and pure math major, as well as problems for engineering, physical science and other students. An appendix that gives the reader a "crash course" in the three software packages. Chapter reviews at the end of each chapter to help the students review Projects at the end of each chapter that go into detail about certain topics and introduce new topics that the students are now ready to see Answers to most of the odd problems in the back of the book

This book helps students explore Fourier analysis and its related topics, helping them appreciate why it pervades many fields of mathematics, science, and engineering. This introductory textbook was written with mathematics, science, and engineering students with a background in calculus and basic linear algebra in mind. It can be used as a textbook for undergraduate courses in Fourier analysis or applied mathematics, which cover Fourier series, orthogonal functions, Fourier and Laplace transforms, and an introduction to complex variables. These topics are tied together by the application of the spectral analysis of analog and discrete signals, and provide an introduction to the discrete Fourier transform. A number of examples and exercises are provided including implementations of Maple, MATLAB, and Python for computing series expansions and transforms. After reading this book, students will be familiar with: * Convergence and summation of infinite series * Representation of functions by infinite series * Trigonometric and Generalized Fourier series * Legendre, Bessel, gamma, and delta functions * Complex numbers and functions * Analytic functions and integration in the complex plane * Fourier and Laplace transforms. * The relationship between analog and digital signals Dr. Russell L. Herman is a professor of Mathematics and Professor of Physics at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. A recipient of several teaching awards, he has taught introductory through graduate courses in several areas including applied mathematics, partial differential equations, mathematical physics, quantum theory, optics, cosmology, and general relativity. His research interests include topics in nonlinear wave equations, soliton perturbation theory, fluid dynamics, relativity, chaos and dynamical systems.