Time-evolution in low-dimensional topological spaces is a subject of puzzling vitality. This book is a state-of-the-art account, covering classical and new results. The volume comprises Poincar -Bendixson, local and Morse-Smale theories, as well as a carefully written chapter on the invariants of surface flows. Of particular interest are chapters on the Anosov-Weil problem, C*-algebras and non-compact surfaces. The book invites graduate students and non-specialists to a fascinating realm of research. It is a valuable source of reference to the specialists.

Deals with an area of research that lies at the crossroads of mathematics and physics. The material presented here rests primarily on the pioneering work of Vaughan Jones and Edward Witten relating polynomial invariants of knots to a topological quantum field theory in 2+1 dimensions. Professor Atiyah presents an introduction to Witten's ideas from the mathematical point of view. The book will be essential reading for all geometers and gauge theorists as an exposition of new and interesting ideas in a rapidly developing area.

These proceedings contain papers presented at the 8th Discrete Geometry for Computer Imagery conference, held 17-19, March 1999 at ESIEE, Marne-la- Vall ee. The domains of discrete geometry and computer imagery are closely related. Discrete geometry provides both theoretical and algorithmic models for the p- cessing, analysis and synthesis of images; in return computer imagery, in its variety of applications, constitutes a remarkable experimentational eld and is a source of challenging problems. The number of returning participants, the arrival each year of contributions from new laboratories and new researchers, as well as the quality and originality of the results have contributed to the success of the conference and are an - dication of the dynamism of this eld. The DGCI has become one of the major conferences related to this topic, including participating researchers and la- ratories from all over the world. Of the 41 papers received this year, 24 have been selected for presentation and 7 for poster sessions. In addition to these, four invited speakers have contributed to the conference. The site of Marne-la-Vall ee, just 20 min away from Paris, is particularly we- suited to hold the conference. Indeed, as a newly built city, it showcases a great amount of modern creative architecture, whose pure lines and original shapes o er a favorable context for the topic of Geometry.

Interest in the study of geometry is currently enjoying a resurgence-understandably so, as the study of curves was once the playground of some very great mathematicians. However, many of the subject's more exciting aspects require a somewhat advanced mathematics background. For the "fun stuff" to be accessible, we need to offer students an introduction with modest prerequisites, one that stimulates their interest and focuses on problem solving.

Integrating parametric, algebraic, and projective curves into a single text, Geometry of Curves offers students a unique approach that provides a mathematical structure for solving problems, not just a catalog of theorems. The author begins with the basics, then takes students on a fascinating journey from conics, higher algebraic and transcendental curves, through the properties of parametric curves, the classification of limaçons, envelopes, and finally to projective curves, their relationship to algebraic curves, and their application to asymptotes and boundedness.

The uniqueness of this treatment lies in its integration of the different types of curves, its use of analytic methods, and its generous number of examples, exercises, and illustrations.
The result is a practical text, almost entirely self-contained, that not only imparts a deeper understanding of the theory, but inspires a heightened appreciation of geometry and interest in more advanced studies.

Unifies the field of optimization with a few geometric principles.

The number of books that can legitimately be called classics in their fields is small indeed, but David Luenberger's Optimization by Vector Space Methods certainly qualifies. Not only does Luenberger clearly demonstrate that a large segment of the field of optimization can be effectively unified by a few geometric principles of linear vector space theory, but his methods have found applications quite removed from the engineering problems to which they were first applied. Nearly 30 years after its initial publication, this book is still among the most frequently cited sources in books and articles on financial optimization.

The book uses functional analysis —the study of linear vector spaces —to impose simple, intuitive interpretations on complex, infinite-dimensional problems. The early chapters offer an introduction to functional analysis, with applications to optimization. Topics addressed include linear space, Hilbert space, least-squares estimation, dual spaces, and linear operators and adjoints. Later chapters deal explicitly with optimization theory, discussing

• Optimization of functionals
• Global theory of constrained optimization
• Local theory of constrained optimization
• Iterative methods of optimization.

End-of-chapter problems constitute a major component of this book and come in two basic varieties. The first consists of miscellaneous mathematical problems and proofs that extend and supplement the theoretical material in the text; the second, optimization problems, illustrates further areas of application and helps the reader formulate and solve practical problems.

For professionals and graduate students in engineering, mathematics, operations research, economics, and business and finance, Optimization by Vector Space Methods is an indispensable source of problem-solving tools.

The main purpose of this book is to present the basic theory and some recent de velopments concerning the Cauchy problem for higher order abstract differential equations u(n)(t) + ~ AiU(i)(t) = 0, t ~ 0, { U(k)(O) = Uk, 0 ~ k ~ n-l. where AQ, Ab . . . , A - are linear operators in a topological vector space E. n 1 Many problems in nature can be modeled as (ACP ). For example, many n initial value or initial-boundary value problems for partial differential equations, stemmed from mechanics, physics, engineering, control theory, etc. , can be trans lated into this form by regarding the partial differential operators in the space variables as operators Ai (0 ~ i ~ n - 1) in some function space E and letting the boundary conditions (if any) be absorbed into the definition of the space E or of the domain of Ai (this idea of treating initial value or initial-boundary value problems was discovered independently by E. Hille and K. Yosida in the forties). The theory of (ACP ) is closely connected with many other branches of n mathematics. Therefore, the study of (ACPn) is important for both theoretical investigations and practical applications. Over the past half a century, (ACP ) has been studied extensively.

This is the softcover reprint of the 1974 English translation of the later chapters of Bourbaki 's Topologie Generale. Initial chapters study subgroups and quotients of R, real vector spaces and projective spaces, and additive groups Rn. Analogous properties are then studied for complex numbers. Later chapters illustrate the use of real numbers in general topology and discuss various topologies of function spaces and approximation of functions.

In this study extending classical Markov chain theory to handle fluctuating transition matrices, the author develops a theory of Markov set-chains and provides numerous examples showing how that theory can be applied. Chapters are concluded with a discussion of related research. Readers who can benefit from this monograph are those interested in, or involved with, systems whose data is imprecise or that fluctuate with time. A background equivalent to a course in linear algebra and one in probability theory should be sufficient.

This is the softcover reprint of the English translation of 1971 (available from Springer since 1989) of the first 4 chapters of Bourbaki's Topologie générale. It gives all the basics of the subject, starting from definitions. Important classes of topological spaces are studied, uniform structures are introduced and applied to topological groups. Real numbers are constructed and their properties established. Part II, comprising the later chapters, Ch. 5-10, is also available in English in softcover.

An exploration of one of the most celebrated and well-known theorems in mathematics By any measure, the Pythagorean theorem is the most famous statement in all of mathematics. In this book, Eli Maor reveals the full story of this ubiquitous geometric theorem. Although attributed to Pythagoras, the theorem was known to the Babylonians more than a thousand years earlier. Pythagoras may have been the first to prove it, but his proof-if indeed he had one-is lost to us. The theorem itself, however, is central to almost every branch of science, pure or applied. Maor brings to life many of the characters that played a role in its history, providing a fascinating backdrop to perhaps our oldest enduring mathematical legacy.

This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed and revised post-workshop proceedings of the International Workshop on Automated Deduction in Geometry, held in Toulouse, France, in September 1996. The revised extended papers accepted for inclusion in the volume were selected on the basis of double reviewing. Among the topics covered are automated geometric reasoning and the deduction applied to Dixon resultants, Grobner bases, characteristic sets, computational geometry, algebraic geometry, and planet motion; furthermore the system REDLOG is demonstrated and the verification of geometric statements as well as the automated production of proof in Euclidean Geometry are present.

From the reviews: "... The book under review consists of two monographs on geometric aspects of group theory ... Together, these two articles form a wide-ranging survey of combinatorial group theory, with emphasis very much on the geometric roots of the subject. This will be a useful reference work for the expert, as well as providing an overview of the subject for the outsider or novice. Many different topics are described and explored, with the main results presented but not proved. This allows the interested reader to get the flavour of these topics without becoming bogged down in detail. Both articles give comprehensive bibliographies, so that it is possible to use this book as the starting point for a more detailed study of a particular topic of interest. ..." Bulletin of the London Mathematical Society, 1996

In recent years geometry seems to have lost large parts of its former central position in mathematics teaching in most countries. However, new trends have begun to counteract this tendency. There is an increasing awareness that geometry plays a key role in mathematics and learning mathematics. Although geometry has been eclipsed in the mathematics curriculum, research in geometry has blossomed as new ideas have arisen from inside mathematics and other disciplines, including computer science. Due to reassessment of the role of geometry, mathematics educators and mathematicians face new challenges. In the present ICMI study, the whole spectrum of teaching and learning of geometry is analysed. Experts from all over the world took part in this study, which was conducted on the basis of recent international research, case studies, and reports on actual school practice. This book will be of particular interest to mathematics educators and mathematicians who are involved in the teaching of geometry at all educational levels, as well as to researchers in mathematics education.

'The reference list is excellent. This is a worthwhile (though 'niche') book that will be attractive to a particular sector of the general reading public interested in mathematical riddles and puzzles. Professional educators might well employ it in integrated learning settings. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers.'CHOICEImmerse yourself in the fascinating world of geometry and spatial ability - either individually or in small groups, either as challenges or play problems! Here are four reasons why you should work with this book:This book offers a very unique opportunity to enhance your spatial ability, your mathematical competence, and your logical thinking. The authors arranged 45 problems - including more than 120 tasks - in a well-balanced order, which have been tested with a variety of populations.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 7th International Workshop on Discrete Geometry for Computer Imagery, DGCI '97, held in Montpellier, France, in December 1997. The volume presents 17 revised full papers together with three invited full papers. The contributions are organized in sections on 2D recognition, discrete shapes and planes, surfaces, topology, features, and from principles to applications.

From the reviews:"The book...is a thorough and very readable introduction to the arithmetic of function fields of one variable over a finite field, by an author who has made fundamental contributions to the field. It serves as a definitive reference volume, as well as offering graduate students with a solid understanding of algebraic number theory the opportunity to quickly reach the frontiers of knowledge in an important area of mathematics...The arithmetic of function fields is a universe filled with beautiful surprises, in which familiar objects from classical number theory reappear in new guises, and in which entirely new objects play important roles. Goss'clear exposition and lively style make this book an excellent introduction to this fascinating field." MR 97i:11062

UNDERSTANDING NONLINEAR DYNAMICS is based on an undergraduate course taught for many years to students in the biological sciences. The text provides a clear and accessible development of many concepts from contemporary dynamics, including stability and multistability, cellular automata and excitable media, fractals, cycles, and chaos. A chapter on time-series analysis builds on this foundation to provide an introduction to techniques for extracting information about dynamics from data. The text will be useful for courses offered in the life sciences or other applied science programs, or as a supplement to emphasize the application of subjects presented in mathematics or physics courses. Extensive examples are derived from the experimental literature, and numerous exercise sets can be used in teaching basic mathematical concepts and their applications. Concrete applications of the mathematics are illustrated in such areas as biochemistry, neurophysiology, cardiology, and ecology. The text also provides an entry point for researchers not familiar with mathematics but interested in applications of nonlinear dynamics to the life sciences.

From the reviews: "... In the past, more of the leading mathematicians proposed and solved problems than today, and there were problem departments in many journals. Pólya and Szego must have combed all of the large problem literature from about 1850 to 1925 for their material, and their collection of the best in analysis is a heritage of lasting value. The work is unashamedly dated. With few exceptions, all of its material comes from before 1925. We can judge its vintage by a brief look at the author indices (combined). Let's start on the C's: Cantor, Carathéodory, Carleman, Carlson, Catalan, Cauchy, Cayley, Cesàro,... Or the L's: Lacour, Lagrange, Laguerre, Laisant, Lambert, Landau, Laplace, Lasker, Laurent, Lebesgue, Legendre,... Omission is also information: Carlitz, Erdös, Moser, etc."Bull.Americ.Math.Soc.

The book is characterized by the illustration of cases of fractal, self-similar and multi-scale structures taken from the mechanics of solid and porous materials, which have a technical interest. In addition, an accessible and self-consistent treatment of the mathematical technique of fractional calculus is provided, avoiding useless complications.

The articles in this volume were written to commemorate Reinhold Remmert's 60th birthday in June, 1990. They are surveys, meant to facilitate access to some of the many aspects of the theory of complex manifolds, and demonstrate the interplay between complex analysis and many other branches of mathematics, algebraic geometry, differential topology, representations of Lie groups, and mathematical physics being only the most obvious of these branches. Each of these articles should serve not only to describe the particular circle of ideas in complex analysis with which it deals but also as a guide to the many mathematical ideas related to its theme.

The book provides a comprehensive theory of ODE which come as Euler-Lagrange equations from generally higher-order Lagrangians. Emphasis is laid on applying methods from differential geometry (fibered manifolds and their jet-prolongations) and global analysis (distributions and exterior differential systems). Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, Hamilton-Jacobi theory, etc., for any Lagrangian system of any order are presented. The key idea - to build up these theories as related with the class of equivalent Lagrangians - distinguishes this book from other texts on higher-order mechanics. The reader should be familiar with elements of differential geometry, global analysis and the calculus of variations.

The Blaubeuren Conference "Theory and Practice of Geometric Modeling" has become a meeting place for leading experts from industrial and academic research institutions, CAD system developers and experienced users to exchange new ideas and to discuss new concepts and future directions in geometric modeling. The relaxed and calm atmosphere of the Heinrich-Fabri-Institute in Blaubeuren provides the appropriate environment for profound and engaged discussions that are not equally possible on other occasions. Real problems from current industrial projects as well as theoretical issues are addressed on a high scientific level. This book is the result of the lectures and discussions during the conference which took place from October 14th to 18th, 1996. The contents is structured in 4 parts: Mathematical Tools Representations Systems Automated Assembly. The editors express their sincere appreciation to the contributing authors, and to the members of the program committee for their cooperation, the careful reviewing and their active participation that made the conference and this book a success.

Schon lange bevor die Schrift entwickelt wurde, hat der Mensch geometrische Strukturen wahrgenommen und systematisch verwendet. So entstehen beim Weben und Flechten einfache zweidimensionale Muster und ohne dreidimensionale Korper wie Quader, Wurfel oder Pyramide ist keine Bautatigkeit denkbar. Das vorliegende Buch gibt einen faszinierenden Uberblick uber die geometrischen Vorstellungen und Erkenntnisse der Menschen von der Urgesellschaft bis hin zu den komplexen mathematischen wie auch kunstlerischen Ideen des 20. Jahrhunderts. Neben vielen Abbildungen wird jede Epoche mit einer Tabelle zeit- und kulturgeschichtlicher Daten eingeleitet und mit einer tabellarischen Darstellung der wesentlichen Inhalte der Geometrie dieser Zeit abgeschlossen. Aufgaben am Ende jeden Kapitels laden den Leser ein, sich an den Problemen der alten Meister selber zu versuchen. Ein Buch fur alle, die der Lebendigkeit und Entwicklung der Geometrie als erste "Anwendungswissenschaft" nachspuren wollen.

Fur die 3. Auflage wurden neuste Forschungsergebnisse uber steinzeitliche Kreisgrabenanlagen und die Himmelsscheibe von Nebra aus der Bronzezeit aufgenommen. Zahlreiche Abbildungen, viele davon jetzt in Farbe, erhohen den Lesegenuss des Buches."

Any topological theory of knots and links should be based on simple ideas of intersection and linking. In this book, a general theory of link bordism in manifolds and universal constructions of linking numbers in oriented 3-manifolds are developed. In this way, classical concepts of link theory in the 3-spheres are generalized to a certain class of oriented 3-manifolds (submanifolds of rational homology 3-spheres). The techniques needed are described in the book but basic knowledge in topology and algebra is assumed. The book should be of interst to those working in topology, in particular knot theory and low-dimensional topology.

This 1987 volume presents a collection of papers given at the 1985 Durham Symposium on homotopy theory. They survey recent developments in the subject including localisation and periodicity, computational complexity, and the algebraic K-theory of spaces.