This book originated from a Discussion Group (Teaching Linear Algebra) that was held at the 13th International Conference on Mathematics Education (ICME-13). The aim was to consider and highlight current efforts regarding research and instruction on teaching and learning linear algebra from around the world, and to spark new collaborations. As the outcome of the two-day discussion at ICME-13, this book focuses on the pedagogy of linear algebra with a particular emphasis on tasks that are productive for learning. The main themes addressed include: theoretical perspectives on the teaching and learning of linear algebra; empirical analyses related to learning particular content in linear algebra; the use of technology and dynamic geometry software; and pedagogical discussions of challenging linear algebra tasks. Drawing on the expertise of mathematics education researchers and research mathematicians with experience in teaching linear algebra, this book gathers work from nine countries: Austria, Germany, Israel, Ireland, Mexico, Slovenia, Turkey, the USA and Zimbabwe.

A complete study on an important class of linear dynamical systems-positive linear systems

One of the most often-encountered systems in nearly all areas of science and technology, positive linear systems is a specific but remarkable and fascinating class. Renowned scientists Lorenzo Farina and Sergio Rinaldi introduce readers to the world of positive linear systems in their rigorous but highly accessible book, rich in applications, examples, and figures.

This professional reference is divided into three main parts: The first part contains the definitions and basic properties of positive linear systems. The second part, following the theoretical exposition, reports the main conceptual results, considering applicable examples taken from a number of widely used models. The third part is devoted to the study of some classes of positive linear systems of particular relevance in applications (such as the Leontief model, the Leslie model, the Markov chains, the compartmental systems, and the queueing systems). Readers familiar with linear algebra and linear systems theory will appreciate the way arguments are treated and presented.

Extraordinarily comprehensive, Positive Linear Systems features:

• Applications from a variety of backgrounds including modeling, control engineering, computer science, demography, economics, bioengineering, chemistry, and ecology
• References and annotated bibliographies throughout the book
• Two appendices concerning linear algebra and linear systems theory for readers unfamiliar with the mathematics used

Farina and Rinaldi make no effort to hide their enthusiasm for the topics presented, making Positive Linear Systems: Theory andApplications an indispensable resource for researchers and professionals in a broad range of fields.

Clear prose, tight organization, and a wealth of examples and computational techniques make Basic Matrix Algebra with Algorithms and Applications an outstanding introduction to linear algebra. The author designed this treatment specifically for freshman majors in mathematical subjects and upper-level students in natural resources, the social sciences, business, or any discipline that eventually requires an understanding of linear models.

With extreme pedagogical clarity that avoids abstraction wherever possible, the author emphasizes minimal polynomials and their computation using a Krylov algorithm. The presentation is highly visual and relies heavily on work with a graphing calculator to allow readers to focus on concepts and techniques rather than on tedious arithmetic. Supporting materials, including test preparation Maple worksheets, are available for download from the Internet.

This unassuming but insightful and remarkably original treatment is organized into bite-sized, clearly stated objectives. It goes well beyond the LACSG recommendations for a first course while still implementing their philosophy and core material. Classroom tested with great success, it prepares readers well for the more advanced studies their fields ultimately will require.

Featuring presentations from the Fourth International Conference on Commutative Algebra held in Fez, Morocco, this reference presents trends in the growing area of commutative algebra. With contributions from nearly 50 internationally renowned researchers, the book emphasizes innovative applications and connections to algebraic number theory, geometry, and homological and computational algebra. Presenting challenging problems of contemporary interest, discussions include linear Diophantine equations, going-down and going-up properties, and graded modules and analytic spread. They also cover algebroid curves and chain conditions, ideals and modules, and integral independence.

This proceedings is composed of the papers resulting from the NATO work-shop "Perspectives in Ring Theory" and the work-shop "Geometry and Invariant The ory of Representations of Quivers" . Three reports on problem sessions have been induced in the part corresponding to the work-shop where they belonged. One more report on a problem session, the "lost" problem session, will be published elsewhere eventually. vii Acknowledgement The meeting became possible by the financial support of the Scientific Affairs Division of NATO. The people at this division have been very helpful in the orga nization of the meeting, in particular we commemorate Dr. Mario di Lullo, who died unexpectedly last year, but who has been very helpful with the organization of earlier meetings in Ring Theory. For additional financial support we thank the national foundation for scientific research (NFWO), the rector of the University of Antwerp, UIA, and the Belgian Ministry of Education. We also gladly acknowledge support from the Belgian Friends of the Hebrew University and the chairman Prof. P. Van Remoortere who honored Prof. S. Amitsur for his continuous contributions to the mathematical activities at the University of Antwerp. I thank the authors who contributed their paper(s) to this proceedings and the lecturers for their undisposable contributions towards the success of the work-shop. Finally I thank Danielle for allowing me to spoil another holiday period in favor of a congress."

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). In the present volume we study a concept, Gamma-lines which generalizes the concept of levels of sets and, at the same time, the concept of a-points. The aim of the authors is to provide a book on Gamma-lines for the broad specialist and to show the large range of their field of applications. One can expect that the general methods proposed in this volume will be of great use to both physicists and engineers.

This volume deals with first and second order complex equations of hyperbolic and mixed types. Various general boundary value problems for linear and quasilinear complex equations are investigated in detail. To obtain results for complex equations of mixed types, some discontinuous boundary value problems for elliptic complex equations are discussed. Mixed complex equations are included in the quasilinear case, and the text considers both boundary value conditions in the general oblique derivative case and multiply connected domains. Complex analytical methods are used to investigate various problems as well. In particular, hyperbolic numbers and hyperbolic complex functions are introduced to handle hyperbolic complex equations. Researchers and graduate students in mathematical analysis will find this text indispensable.

Over the past 20 years, the emergence of clone theory, hyperequational theory, commutator theory and tame congruence theory has led to a growth of universal algebra both in richness and in applications, especially in computer science. Yet most of the classic books on the subject are long out of print and, to date, no other book has integrated these theories with the long-established work that supports them.

Universal Algebra and Applications in Theoretical Computer Science introduces the basic concepts of universal algebra and surveys some of the newer developments in the field. The first half of the book provides a solid grounding in the core material. A leisurely pace, careful exposition, numerous examples, and exercises combine to form an introduction to the subject ideal for beginning graduate students or researchers from other areas. The second half of the book focuses on applications in theoretical computer science and advanced topics, including Mal'cev conditions, tame congruence theory, clones, and commutators.

The impact of the advances in universal algebra on computer science is just beginning to be realized, and the field will undoubtedly continue to grow and mature. Universal Algebra and Applications in Theoretical Computer Science forms an outstanding text and offers a unique opportunity to build the foundation needed for further developments in its theory and in its computer science applications.

This volume consists of the English translations of the letters exchanged between Emil Artin to Helmut Hasse written from 1921 until 1958. The letters are accompanied by extensive comments explaining the mathematical background and giving the information needed for understanding these letters. Most letters deal with class field theory and shed a light on the birth of one of its most profound results: Artin's reciprocity law.

This book is of interest to mathematicians and computer scientists working in finite mathematics and combinatorics. It presents a breakthrough method for analyzing complex summations. Beautifully written, the book contains practical applications as well as conceptual developments that will have applications in other areas of mathematics. From the table of contents: * Proof Machines * Tightening the Target * The Hypergeometric Database * The Five Basic Algorithms: Sister Celine's Method, Gosper&'s Algorithm, Zeilberger's Algorithm, The WZ Phenomenon, Algorithm Hyper * Epilogue: An Operator Algebra Viewpoint * The WWW Sites and the Software (Maple and Mathematica) Each chapter contains an introduction to the subject and ends with a set of exercises.

This book contains several fundamental ideas that are revived time after time in different guises, providing a better understanding of algebraic geometric phenomena. It shows how the field is enriched with loans from analysis and topology and from commutative algebra and homological algebra.

The conventional wisdom was that biology influenced mathematics and computer science. But a new approach has taken hold: that of transferring methods and tools from computer science to biology. The reverse trend is evident in Grammars and Automata for String Processing: From Mathematics and Computer Science to Biology and Back. The contributors address the structural (syntactical) view of the domain. Mathematical linguistics and computer science can offer various tools for modeling complex macromolecules and for analyzing and simulating biological issues. This collection is valuable for students and researchers in biology, computer science, and applied mathematics.

Resoundingly popular in its first edition, the second edition of Mechanics of Structures: Variational and Computational Methods promises to be even more so, with broader coverage, expanded discussions, and a streamlined presentation. The authors begin by describing the behavior of deformable solids through the differential equations for the strength of materials and the theory of elasticity. They next introduce variational principles, including mixed or generalized principles, and derive integral forms of the governing equations. Discussions then move to computational methods, including the finite element method, and these are developed to solve the differential and integral equations. New in the second edition: A one-dimensional introduction to the finite element method, complete with illustrations of numerical mesh refinement Expansion of the use of Galerkin's method. Discussion of recent developments in the theory of bending and torsion of thin-walled beams. An appendix summarizing the fundamental equations in differential and variational form Completely new treatment of stability, including detailed examples Discussion of the principal values of geometric properties and stresses Additional exercises As a textbook or as a reference, Mechanics of Structures builds a unified, variational foundation for structure mechanics, which in turn forms the basis for the computational solid mechanics so essential to modern engineering.

This carefully prepared manuscript presents elimination theory in weighted projective spaces over arbitrary noetherian commutative base rings. Elimination theory is a classical topic in commutative algebra and algebraic geometry, and it has become of renewed importance recently in the context of applied and computational algebra. This monograph provides a valuable complement to sparse elimination theory in that it presents in careful detail the algebraic difficulties from working over general base rings. This is essential for applications in arithmetic geometry and many other places. Necessary tools concerning monoids of weights, generic polynomials and regular sequences are treated independently in the first part of the book. Many supplements added to each chapter provide extra details and insightful examples. Necessary tools concerning monoids of weights, generic polynomials and regular sequences are treated independently in the first part of the book. Many supplements added to each chapter provide extra details and insightful examples.

The present book includes a set of selected papers from the Fifth International Conf- ence on Informatics in Control Automation and Robotics (ICINCO 2008), held in Funchal, Madeira - Portugal, from 11 to 15 May 2008. The conference was organized in three simultaneous tracks: Intelligent Control Systems and Optimization, Robotics and Automation, and Systems Modeling, Signal Processing and Control. The book is based on the same structure. ICINCO 2008 received 392 paper submissions, from more than 50 different co- tries in all continents. From these, after a blind review process, only 33 where - cepted as full papers, of which 18 were selected for inclusion in this book, based on the classifications provided by the Program Committee. The selected papers reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the conference. The diversity of topics is an important feature of this conference, enabling an overall perception of several important sci- tific and technological trends. These high quality standards will be maintained and reinforced at ICINCO 2009, to be held in Milan, Italy, and in future editions of this conference.

Glider Representations offer several applications across different fields within Mathematics, thereby motivating the introduction of this new glider theory and opening numerous doors for future research, particularly with respect to more complex filtration chains. Features * Introduces new concepts in the Theory of Rings and Modules * Suitable for researchers and graduate students working in this area, and as supplementary reading for courses in Group Theory, Ring Theory, Lie Algebras and Sheaf Theory * The first book to explicitly outline this new approach to gliders and fragments and associated concepts

This volume presents a systematic and unified treatment of Leray-Schauder continuation theorems in nonlinear analysis. In particular, fixed point theory is established for many classes of maps, such as contractive, non-expansive, accretive, and compact maps, to name but a few. This book also presents coincidence and multiplicity results. Many applications of current interest in the theory of nonlinear differential equations are presented to complement the theory. The text is essentially self-contained, so it may also be used as an introduction to topological methods in nonlinear analysis. This volume will appeal to graduate students and researchers in mathematical analysis and its applications.

Non-Linear Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems is the second book within Ordinary Differential Equations with Applications to Trajectories and Vibrations, Six-volume Set. As a set, they are the fourth volume in the series Mathematics and Physics Applied to Science and Technology. This second book consists of two chapters (chapters 3 and 4 of the set). The first chapter considers non-linear differential equations of first order, including variable coefficients. A first-order differential equation is equivalent to a first-order differential in two variables. The differentials of order higher than the first and with more than two variables are also considered. The applications include the representation of vector fields by potentials. The second chapter in the book starts with linear oscillators with coefficients varying with time, including parametric resonance. It proceeds to non-linear oscillators including non-linear resonance, amplitude jumps, and hysteresis. The non-linear restoring and friction forces also apply to electromechanical dynamos. These are examples of dynamical systems with bifurcations that may lead to chaotic motions. Presents general first-order differential equations including non-linear like the Ricatti equation Discusses differentials of the first or higher order in two or more variables Includes discretization of differential equations as finite difference equations Describes parametric resonance of linear time dependent oscillators specified by the Mathieu functions and other methods Examines non-linear oscillations and damping of dynamical systems including bifurcations and chaotic motions

Higher-Order Differential Equations and Elasticity is the third book within Ordinary Differential Equations with Applications to Trajectories and Vibrations, Six-volume Set. As a set, they are the fourth volume in the series Mathematics and Physics Applied to Science and Technology. This third book consists of two chapters (chapters 5 and 6 of the set). The first chapter in this book concerns non-linear differential equations of the second and higher orders. It also considers special differential equations with solutions like envelopes not included in the general integral. The methods presented include special differential equations, whose solutions include the general integral and special integrals not included in the general integral for myriad constants of integration. The methods presented include dual variables and differentials, related by Legendre transforms, that have application in thermodynamics. The second chapter concerns deformations of one (two) dimensional elastic bodies that are specified by differential equations of: (i) the second-order for non-stiff bodies like elastic strings (membranes); (ii) fourth-order for stiff bodies like bars and beams (plates). The differential equations are linear for small deformations and gradients and non-linear otherwise. The deformations for beams include bending by transverse loads and buckling by axial loads. Buckling and bending couple non-linearly for plates. The deformations depend on material properties, for example isotropic or anisotropic elastic plates, with intermediate cases such as orthotropic or pseudo-isotropic. Discusses differential equations having special integrals not contained in the general integral, like the envelope of a family of integral curves Presents differential equations of the second and higher order, including non-linear and with variable coefficients Compares relation of differentials with the principles of thermodynamics Describes deformations of non-stiff elastic bodies like strings and membranes and buckling of stiff elastic bodies like bars, beams, and plates Presents linear and non-linear waves in elastic strings, membranes, bars, beams, and plates

Singular Differential Equations and Special Functions is the fifth book within Ordinary Differential Equations with Applications to Trajectories and Vibrations, Six-volume Set. As a set they are the fourth volume in the series Mathematics and Physics Applied to Science and Technology. This fifth book consists of one chapter (chapter 9 of the set). The chapter starts with general classes of differential equations and simultaneous systems for which the properties of the solutions can be established 'a priori', such as existence and unicity of solution, robustness and uniformity with regard to changes in boundary conditions and parameters, and stability and asymptotic behavior. The book proceeds to consider the most important class of linear differential equations with variable coefficients, that can be analytic functions or have regular or irregular singularities. The solution of singular differential equations by means of (i) power series; (ii) parametric integral transforms; and (iii) continued fractions lead to more than 20 special functions; among these is given greater attention to generalized circular, hyperbolic, Airy, Bessel and hypergeometric differential equations, and the special functions that specify their solutions. Includes existence, unicity, robustness, uniformity, and other theorems for non-linear differential equations Discusses properties of dynamical systems derived from the differential equations describing them, using methods such as Liapunov functions Includes linear differential equations with periodic coefficients, including Floquet theory, Hill infinite determinants and multiple parametric resonance Details theory of the generalized Bessel differential equation, and of the generalized, Gaussian, confluent and extended hypergeometric functions and relations with other 20 special functions Examines Linear Differential Equations with analytic coefficients or regular or irregular singularities, and solutions via power series, parametric integral transforms, and continued fractions

With a unique approach and presenting an array of new and intriguing topics, Mathematical Quantization offers a survey of operator algebras and related structures from the point of view that these objects are quantizations of classical mathematical structures. This approach makes possible, with minimal mathematical detail, a unified treatment of a variety of topics.

Detailed here for the first time, the fundamental idea of mathematical quantization is that sets are replaced by Hilbert spaces. Building on this idea, and most importantly on the fact that scalar-valued functions on a set correspond to operators on a Hilbert space, one can determine quantum analogs of a variety of classical structures. In particular, because topologies and measure classes on a set can be treated in terms of scalar-valued functions, we can transfer these constructions to the quantum realm, giving rise to C*- and von Neumann algebras.

In the first half of the book, the author quickly builds the operator algebra setting. He uses this as a unifying theme in the second half, in which he treats several active research topics, some for the first time in book form. These include the quantum plane and tori, operator spaces, Hilbert modules, Lipschitz algebras, and quantum groups.

For graduate students, Mathematical Quantization offers an ideal introduction to a research area of great current interest. For professionals in operator algebras and functional analysis, it provides a readable tour of the current state of the field.

Lattice Point Identities and Shannon-Type Sampling demonstrates that significant roots of many recent facets of Shannon's sampling theorem for multivariate signals rest on basic number-theoretic results. This book leads the reader through a research excursion, beginning from the Gaussian circle problem of the early nineteenth century, via the classical Hardy-Landau lattice point identity and the Hardy conjecture of the first half of the twentieth century, and the Shannon sampling theorem (its variants, generalizations and the fascinating stories about the cardinal series) of the second half of the twentieth century. The authors demonstrate how all these facets have resulted in new multivariate extensions of lattice point identities and Shannon-type sampling procedures of high practical applicability, thereby also providing a general reproducing kernel Hilbert space structure of an associated Paley-Wiener theory over (potato-like) bounded regions (cf. the cover illustration of the geoid), as well as the whole Euclidean space. All in all, the context of this book represents the fruits of cross-fertilization of various subjects, namely elliptic partial differential equations, Fourier inversion theory, constructive approximation involving Euler and Poisson summation formulas, inverse problems reflecting the multivariate antenna problem, and aspects of analytic and geometric number theory. Features: New convergence criteria for alternating series in multi-dimensional analysis Self-contained development of lattice point identities of analytic number theory Innovative lattice point approach to Shannon sampling theory Useful for students of multivariate constructive approximation, and indeed anyone interested in the applicability of signal processing to inverse problems.

This monograph provides an introduction to the theory of Clifford algebras, with an emphasis on its connections with the theory of Lie groups and Lie algebras. The book starts with a detailed presentation of the main results on symmetric bilinear forms and Clifford algebras. It develops the spin groups and the spin representation, culminating in Cartan's famous triality automorphism for the group Spin(8). The discussion of enveloping algebras includes a presentation of Petracci's proof of the Poincare-Birkhoff-Witt theorem.

This is followed by discussions of Weil algebras, Chern--Weil theory, the quantum Weil algebra, and the cubic Dirac operator. The applications to Lie theory include Duflo's theorem for the case of quadratic Lie algebras, multiplets of representations, and Dirac induction. The last part of the book is an account of Kostant's structure theory of the Clifford algebra over a semisimple Lie algebra. It describes his "Clifford algebra analogue" of the Hopf-Koszul-Samelson theorem, and explains his fascinating conjecture relating the Harish-Chandra projection for Clifford algebras to the principal sl(2) subalgebra.

Aside from these beautiful applications, the book will serve as a convenient and up-to-date reference for background material from Clifford theory, relevant for students and researchers in mathematics and physics.

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Written by pioneers in this exciting new field, Algebraic Statistics introduces the application of polynomial algebra to experimental design, discrete probability, and statistics.

It begins with an introduction to Gröbner bases and a thorough description of their applications to experimental design. A special chapter covers the binary case with new application to coherent systems in reliability and two level factorial designs. The work paves the way, in the last two chapters, for the application of computer algebra to discrete probability and statistical modelling through the important concept of an algebraic statistical model.

As the first book on the subject, Algebraic Statistics presents many opportunities for spin-off research and applications and should become a landmark work welcomed by both the statistical community and its relatives in mathematics and computer science.

A comprehensive presentation of abstract algebra and an in-depth treatment of the applications of algebraic techniques and the relationship of algebra to other disciplines, such as number theory, combinatorics, geometry, topology, differential equations, and Markov chains.