Intersection theory has played a prominent role in the study of closed symplectic 4-manifolds since Gromov's famous 1985 paper on pseudoholomorphic curves, leading to myriad beautiful rigidity results that are either inaccessible or not true in higher dimensions. Siefring's recent extension of the theory to punctured holomorphic curves allowed similarly important results for contact 3-manifolds and their symplectic fillings. Based on a series of lectures for graduate students in topology, this book begins with an overview of the closed case, and then proceeds to explain the essentials of Siefring's intersection theory and how to use it, and gives some sample applications in low-dimensional symplectic and contact topology. The appendices provide valuable information for researchers, including a concise reference guide on Siefring's theory and a self-contained proof of a weak version of the Micallef-White theorem.

THE main purpose of writing this monograph is to give a picture of the progress made in recent years in understanding three of the deepest results of Functional Analysis-namely, the open-mapping and closed graph theorems, and the so-called Krein-~mulian theorem. In order to facilitate the reading of this book, some of the important notions and well-known results about topological and vector spaces have been collected in Chapter 1. The proofs of these results are omitted for the reason that they are easily available in any standard book on topology and vector spaces e.g. Bourbaki [2], Keiley [18], or Koethe [22]. The results of Chapter 2 are supposed to be weil known for a study of topological vector spaces as weil. Most of the definitions and notations of Chapter 2 are taken from Bourbaki's books [3] and [4] with some trimming and pruning here and there. Keeping the purpose of this book in mind, the presentation of the material is effected to give a quick resume of the results and the ideas very commonly used in this field, sacrificing the generality of some theorems for which one may consult other books, e.g. [3], [4], and [22]. From Chapter 3 onward, a detailed study of the open-mapping and closed-graph theorems as weil as the Krein-~mulian theorem has been carried out. For the arrangement of the contents of Chapters 3 to 7, see the Historical Notes (Chapter 8).

This book gives a brief treatment of the equivariant cohomology of the classical configuration space F( ^d,n) from its beginnings to recent developments. This subject has been studied intensively, starting with the classical papers of Artin (1925/1947) on the theory of braids, and progressing through the work of Fox and Neuwirth (1962), Fadell and Neuwirth (1962), and Arnol'd (1969). The focus of this book is on the mod 2 equivariant cohomology algebras of F( ^d,n), whose additive structure was described by Cohen (1976) and whose algebra structure was studied in an influential paper by Hung (1990). A detailed new proof of Hung's main theorem is given, however it is shown that some of the arguments given by him on the way to his result are incorrect, as are some of the intermediate results in his paper.This invalidates a paper by three of the authors, Blagojevic, Luck and Ziegler (2016), who used a claimed intermediate result in order to derive lower bounds for the existence of k-regular and -skew embeddings. Using the new proof of Hung's main theorem, new lower bounds for the existence of highly regular embeddings are obtained: Some of them agree with the previously claimed bounds, some are weaker. Assuming only a standard graduate background in algebraic topology, this book carefully guides the reader on the way into the subject. It is aimed at graduate students and researchers interested in the development of algebraic topology in its applications in geometry.

Geometry provides a whole range of views on the universe, serving as the inspiration, technical toolkit and ultimate goal for many branches of mathematics and physics. This book introduces the ideas of geometry, and includes a generous supply of simple explanations and examples. The treatment emphasises coordinate systems and the coordinate changes that generate symmetries. The discussion moves from Euclidean to non-Euclidean geometries, including spherical and hyperbolic geometry, and then on to affine and projective linear geometries. Group theory is introduced to treat geometric symmetries, leading to the unification of geometry and group theory in the Erlangen program. An introduction to basic topology follows, with the Moebius strip, the Klein bottle and the surface with g handles exemplifying quotient topologies and the homeomorphism problem. Topology combines with group theory to yield the geometry of transformation groups,having applications to relativity theory and quantum mechanics. A final chapter features historical discussions and indications for further reading. With minimal prerequisites, the book provides a first glimpse of many research topics in modern algebra, geometry and theoretical physics. The book is based on many years' teaching experience, and is thoroughly class-tested. There are copious illustrations, and each chapter ends with a wide supply of exercises. Further teaching material is available for teachers via the web, including assignable problem sheets with solutions.

Carl Friedrich Gauss, the "foremost of mathematicians," was a land surveyor. Measuring and calculating geodetic networks on the curved Earth was the inspiration for some of his greatest mathematical discoveries. This is just one example of how mathematics and geodesy, the science and art of measuring and mapping our world, have evolved together throughout history. This text is for students and professionals in geodesy, land surveying, and geospatial science who need to understand the mathematics of describing the Earth and capturing her in maps and geospatial data: the discipline known as mathematical geodesy. Map of the World: An Introduction to Mathematical Geodesy aims to provide an accessible introduction to this area, presenting and developing the mathematics relating to maps, mapping, and the production of geospatial data. Described are the theory and its fundamental concepts, its application for processing, analyzing, transforming, and projecting geospatial data, and how these are used in producing charts and atlases. Also touched upon are the multitude of cross-overs into other sciences sharing in the adventure of discovering what our world really looks like. FEATURES * Written in a fluid and accessible style, replete with exercises; adaptable for courses on different levels. * Suitable for students and professionals in the mapping sciences, but also for lovers of maps and map making.

An Illustrated Introduction to Topology and Homotopy explores the beauty of topology and homotopy theory in a direct and engaging manner while illustrating the power of the theory through many, often surprising, applications. This self-contained book takes a visual and rigorous approach that incorporates both extensive illustrations and full proofs.

The first part of the text covers basic topology, ranging from metric spaces and the axioms of topology through subspaces, product spaces, connectedness, compactness, and separation axioms to Urysohn s lemma, Tietze s theorems, and Stone- ech compactification. Focusing on homotopy, the second part starts with the notions of ambient isotopy, homotopy, and the fundamental group. The book then covers basic combinatorial group theory, the Seifert-van Kampen theorem, knots, and low-dimensional manifolds. The last three chapters discuss the theory of covering spaces, the Borsuk-Ulam theorem, and applications in group theory, including various subgroup theorems.

Requiring only some familiarity with group theory, the text includes a large number of figures as well as various examples that show how the theory can be applied. Each section starts with brief historical notes that trace the growth of the subject and ends with a set of exercises. "

An advanced treatment of surgery theory for graduate students and researchers Surgery theory, a subfield of geometric topology, is the study of the classifications of manifolds. A Course on Surgery Theory offers a modern look at this important mathematical discipline and some of its applications. In this book, Stanley Chang and Shmuel Weinberger explain some of the triumphs of surgery theory during the past three decades, from both an algebraic and geometric point of view. They also provide an extensive treatment of basic ideas, main theorems, active applications, and recent literature. The authors methodically cover all aspects of surgery theory, connecting it to other relevant areas of mathematics, including geometry, homotopy theory, analysis, and algebra. Later chapters are self-contained, so readers can study them directly based on topic interest. Of significant use to high-dimensional topologists and researchers in noncommutative geometry and algebraic K-theory, A Course on Surgery Theory serves as an important resource for the mathematics community.

Over 140 examples, preceded by a succinct exposition of general topology and basic terminology. Each example treated as a whole. Over 25 Venn diagrams and charts summarize properties of the examples, while discussions of general methods of construction and change give readers insight into constructing counterexamples. Extensive collection of problems and exercises, correlated with examples. Bibliography. 1978 edition.

Now more that a quarter of a century old, intersection homology theory has proven to be a powerful tool in the study of the topology of singular spaces, with deep links to many other areas of mathematics, including combinatorics, differential equations, group representations, and number theory. Like its predecessor, An Introduction to Intersection Homology Theory, Second Edition introduces the power and beauty of intersection homology, explaining the main ideas and omitting, or merely sketching, the difficult proofs. It treats both the basics of the subject and a wide range of applications, providing lucid overviews of highly technical areas that make the subject accessible and prepare readers for more advanced work in the area. This second edition contains entirely new chapters introducing the theory of Witt spaces, perverse sheaves, and the combinatorial intersection cohomology of fans. Intersection homology is a large and growing subject that touches on many aspects of topology, geometry, and algebra. With its clear explanations of the main ideas, this book builds the confidence needed to tackle more specialist, technical texts and provides a framework within which to place them.

This book introduces the theory of enveloping semigroups-an important tool in the field of topological dynamics-introduced by Robert Ellis. The book deals with the basic theory of topological dynamics and touches on the advanced concepts of the dynamics of induced systems and their enveloping semigroups. All the chapters in the book are well organized and systematically dealing with introductory topics through advanced research topics. The basic concepts give the motivation to begin with, then the theory, and finally the new research-oriented topics. The results are presented with detailed proof, plenty of examples and several open questions are put forward to motivate for future research. Some of the results, related to the enveloping semigroup, are new to the existing literature. The enveloping semigroups of the induced systems is considered for the first time in the literature, and some new results are obtained. The book has a research-oriented flavour in the field of topological dynamics.

In the middle of the last century, after hearing a talk of Mostow on one of his rigidity theorems, Borel conjectured in a letter to Serre a purely topological version of rigidity for aspherical manifolds (i.e. manifolds with contractible universal covers). The Borel conjecture is now one of the central problems of topology with many implications for manifolds that need not be aspherical. Since then, the theory of rigidity has vastly expanded in both precision and scope. This book rethinks the implications of accepting his heuristic as a source of ideas. Doing so leads to many variants of the original conjecture - some true, some false, and some that remain conjectural. The author explores this collection of ideas, following them where they lead whether into rigidity theory in its differential geometric and representation theoretic forms, or geometric group theory, metric geometry, global analysis, algebraic geometry, K-theory, or controlled topology.

Subanalytic and semialgebraic sets were introduced for topological and systematic investigations of real analytic and algebraic sets. One of the author's purposes is to show that almost all (known and unknown) properties of subanalytic and semialgebraic sets follow abstractly from some fundamental axioms. Another is to develop methods of proof that use finite processes instead of integration of vector fields. The proofs are elementary, but the results obtained are new and significant - for example, for singularity theorists and topologists. Further, the new methods and tools developed provide solid foundations for further research by model theorists (logicians) who are interested in applications of model theory to geometry. A knowledge of basic topology is required.

An undergraduate introduction to the fundamentals of topology - engagingly written, filled with helpful insights, complete with many stimulating and imaginative exercises to help students develop a solid grasp of the subject.

Olive Whicher's groundbreaking book presents an accessible - non-mathematician's - approach to projective geometry. Profusely illustrated, and written with fire and intuitive genius, this work will be of interest to anyone wishing to cultivate the power of inner visualization in a realm of structural beauty. Whicher explores the concepts of polarity and movement in modern projective geometry as a discipline of thought that transcends the limited and rigid space and forms of Euclid, and the corresponding material forces conceived in classical mechanics. Rudolf Steiner underlined the importance of projective geometry as, 'a method of training the imaginative faculties of thinking, so that they become an instrument of cognition no less conscious and exact than mathematical reasoning'. This seminal approach allows for precise scientific understanding of the concept of creative fields of formative (or etheric) forces at work in nature - in plants, animals and in the human being.

This first of the three-volume book is targeted as a basic course in topology for undergraduate and graduate students of mathematics. It studies metric spaces and general topology. It starts with the concept of the metric which is an abstraction of distance in the Euclidean space. The special structure of a metric space induces a topology that leads to many applications of topology in modern analysis and modern algebra, as shown in this volume. This volume also studies topological properties such as compactness and connectedness. Considering the importance of compactness in mathematics, this study covers the Stone-Cech compactification and Alexandroff one-point compactification. This volume also includes the Urysohn lemma, Urysohn metrization theorem, Tietz extension theorem, and Gelfand-Kolmogoroff theorem. The content of this volume is spread into eight chapters of which the last chapter conveys the history of metric spaces and the history of the emergence of the concepts leading to the development of topology as a subject with their motivations with an emphasis on general topology. It includes more material than is comfortably covered by beginner students in a one-semester course. Students of advanced courses will also find the book useful. This book will promote the scope, power, and active learning of the subject, all the while covering a wide range of theories and applications in a balanced unified way.

The seminal text on fractal geometry for students and researchers: extensively revised and updated with new material, notes and references that reflect recent directions. Interest in fractal geometry continues to grow rapidly, both as a subject that is fascinating in its own right and as a concept that is central to many areas of mathematics, science and scientific research. Since its initial publication in 1990 Fractal Geometry: Mathematical Foundations and Applications has become a seminal text on the mathematics of fractals. The book introduces and develops the general theory and applications of fractals in a way that is accessible to students and researchers from a wide range of disciplines. Fractal Geometry: Mathematical Foundations and Applications is an excellent course book for undergraduate and graduate students studying fractal geometry, with suggestions for material appropriate for a first course indicated. The book also provides an invaluable foundation and reference for researchers who encounter fractals not only in mathematics but also in other areas across physics, engineering and the applied sciences. * Provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the mathematical theory and applications of fractals * Carefully explains each topic using illustrative examples and diagrams * Includes the necessary mathematical background material, along with notes and references to enable the reader to pursue individual topics * Features a wide range of exercises, enabling readers to consolidate their understanding * Supported by a website with solutions to exercises and additional material http://www.wileyeurope.com/fractal Leads onto the more advanced sequel Techniques in Fractal Geometry (also by Kenneth Falconer and available from Wiley)