David A. Cox - Böcker

In recent years, the discovery of new algorithms for dealing with polynomial equations, coupled with their implementation on fast inexpensive computers, has sparked a minor revolution in the study and practice of algebraic geometry. These algorithmic methods have also given rise to some exciting new applications of algebraic geometry. This book illustrates the many uses of algebraic geometry, highlighting some of the more recent applications of Gröbner bases and resultants. In order to do this, the authors provide an introduction to some algebraic objects and techniques which are more advanced than one typically encounters in a first course, but nonetheless of great utility. The book is written for nonspecialists and for readers with a diverse range of backgrounds. It assumes knowledge of the material covered in a standard undergraduate course in abstract algebra, and it would help to have some previous exposure to Gröbner bases. The book does not assume the reader is familiar with more advanced concepts such as modules. For this new edition the authors added two new sections and a new chapter, updated the references and made numerous minor improvements throughout the text.

In recent years, the discovery of new algorithms for dealing with polynomial equations, coupled with their implementation on fast inexpensive computers, has sparked a minor revolution in the study and practice of algebraic geometry. These algorithmic methods have also given rise to some exciting new applications of algebraic geometry. This book illustrates the many uses of algebraic geometry, highlighting some of the more recent applications of Grobner bases and resultants. In order to do this, the authors provide an introduction to some algebraic objects and techniques which are more advanced than one typically encounters in a first course, but nonetheless of great utility. The book is written for nonspecialists and for readers with a diverse range of backgrounds. It assumes knowledge of the material covered in a standard undergraduate course in abstract algebra, and it would help to have some previous exposure to Grobner bases. The book does not assume the reader is familiar with more advanced concepts such as modules. For this new edition the authors added two new sections and a new chapter, updated the references and made numerous minor improvements throughout the text.

Mirror symmetry began when theoretical physicists made some astonishing predictions about rational curves on quintic hypersurfaces in four-dimensional projective space. Understanding the mathematics behind these predictions has been a substantial challenge. This book is the first completely comprehensive monograph on mirror symmetry, covering the original observations by the physicists through the most recent progress made to date. Subjects discussed include toric varieties, Hodge theory, Kahler geometry, moduli of stable maps, Calabi-Yau manifolds, quantum cohomology, Gromov-Witten invariants, and the mirror theorem. This title features: numerous examples worked out in detail; an appendix on mathematical physics; an exposition of the algebraic theory of Gromov-Witten invariants and quantum cohomology; and, a proof of the mirror theorem for the quintic threefold.

Praise for the First Edition ". . .will certainly fascinate anyone interested in abstract algebra: a remarkable book!"—Monatshefte fur MathematikGalois theory is one of the most established topics in mathematics, with historical roots that led to the development of many central concepts in modern algebra, including groups and fields. Covering classic applications of the theory, such as solvability by radicals, geometric constructions, and finite fields, Galois Theory, Second Edition delves into novel topics like Abel’s theory of Abelian equations, casus irreducibili, and the Galois theory of origami.In addition, this book features detailed treatments of several topics not covered in standard texts on Galois theory, including: The contributions of Lagrange, Galois, and KroneckerHow to compute Galois groupsGalois's results about irreducible polynomials of prime or prime-squared degreeAbel's theorem about geometric constructions on the lemniscatesGalois groups of quartic polynomials in all characteristicsThroughout the book, intriguing Mathematical Notes and Historical Notes sections clarify the discussed ideas and the historical context; numerous exercises and examples use Maple and Mathematica to showcase the computations related to Galois theory; and extensive references have been added to provide readers with additional resources for further study.Galois Theory, Second Edition is an excellent book for courses on abstract algebra at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. The book also serves as an interesting reference for anyone with a general interest in Galois theory and its contributions to the field of mathematics.

An exciting approach to the history and mathematics of number theory“. . . the author’s style is totally lucid and very easy to read . . .the result is indeed a wonderful story.” —Mathematical Reviews Written in a unique and accessible style for readers of varied mathematical backgrounds, the Second Edition of Primes of the Form p = x2+ ny2 details the history behind how Pierre de Fermat’s work ultimately gave birth to quadratic reciprocity and the genus theory of quadratic forms. The book also illustrates how results of Euler and Gauss can be fully understood only in the context of class field theory, and in addition, explores a selection of the magnificent formulas of complex multiplication.Primes of the Form p = x2 + ny2, Second Edition focuses on addressing the question of when a prime p is of the form x2 + ny2, which serves as the basis for further discussion of various mathematical topics. This updated edition has several new notable features, including:• A well-motivated introduction to the classical formulation of class field theory• Illustrations of explicit numerical examples to demonstrate the power of basic theorems in various situations• An elementary treatment of quadratic forms and genus theory• Simultaneous treatment of elementary and advanced aspects of number theory• New coverage of the Shimura reciprocity law and a selection of recent work in an updated bibliographyPrimes of the Form p = x2 + ny2, Second Edition is both a useful reference for number theory theorists and an excellent text for undergraduate and graduate-level courses in number and Galois theory.

Systems of polynomial equations can be used to model an astonishing variety of phenomena. This book explores the geometry and algebra of such systems and includes numerous applications. The book begins with elimination theory from Newton to the twenty-first century and then discusses the interaction between algebraic geometry and numerical computations, a subject now called numerical algebraic geometry. The final three chapters discuss applications to geometric modeling, rigidity theory, and chemical reaction networks in detail. Each chapter ends with a section written by a leading expert.Examples in the book include oil wells, HIV infection, phylogenetic models, four-bar mechanisms, border rank, font design, Stewart-Gough platforms, rigidity of edge graphs, Gaussian graphical models, geometric constraint systems, and enzymatic cascades. The reader will encounter geometric objects such as Bezier patches, Cayley-Menger varieties, and toric varieties; and algebraic objects such as resultants, Rees algebras, approximation complexes, matroids, and toric ideals. Two important subthemes that appear in multiple chapters are toric varieties and algebraic statistics. The book also discusses the history of elimination theory, including its near elimination in the middle of the twentieth century.The main goal is to inspire the reader to learn about the topics covered in the book. With this in mind, the book has an extensive bibliography containing over 350 books and papers.

This book studies when a prime $p$ can be written in the form $x^{2} + ny^{2}$. It begins at an elementary level with results of Fermat and Euler and then discusses the work of Lagrange, Legendre and Gauss on quadratic reciprocity and the genus theory of quadratic forms. After exploring cubic and biquadratic reciprocity, the pace quickens with the introduction of algebraic number fields and class field theory. This leads to the concept of ring class field and a complete but abstract solution of $p = x^{2} + ny^{2}$. To make things more concrete, the book introduces complex multiplication and modular functions to give a constructive solution. The book ends with a discussion of elliptic curves and Shimura reciprocity. Along the way the reader will encounter some compelling history and marvelous formulas, together with a complete solution of the class number one problem for imaginary quadratic fields.The book is accessible to readers with modest backgrounds in number theory. In the third edition, the numerous exercises have been thoroughly checked and revised, and as a special feature, complete solutions are included. This makes the book especially attractive to readers who want to get an active knowledge of this wonderful part of mathematics.

This text covers topics in algebraic geometry and commutative algebra with careful attention to their practical and computational aspects.

This text covers topics in algebraic geometry and commutative algebra with a strong perspective toward practical and computational aspects. The first four chapters form the core of the book. A comprehensive chart in the Preface illustrates a variety of ways to proceed with the material once these chapters are covered. In addition to the fundamentals of algebraic geometry—the elimination theorem, the extension theorem, the closure theorem and the Nullstellensatz—this new edition incorporates several substantial changes, all of which are listed in the Preface. The largest revision incorporates a new Chapter (ten), which presents some of the essentials of progress made over the last decades in computing Gröbner bases. The book also includes current computer algebra material in Appendix C and updated independent projects (Appendix D).The book may serve as a first or second course in undergraduate abstract algebra and with some supplementation perhaps, for beginning graduate levelcourses in algebraic geometry or computational algebra. Prerequisites for the reader include linear algebra and a proof-oriented course. It is assumed that the reader has access to a computer algebra system. Appendix C describes features of Maple™, Mathematica® and Sage, as well as other systems that are most relevant to the text. Pseudocode is used in the text; Appendix B carefully describes the pseudocode used.Readers who are teaching from Ideals, Varieties, and Algorithms, or are studying the book on their own, may obtain a copy of the solutions manual by sending an email to jlittle@holycross.edu.From the reviews of previous editions:“…The book gives an introduction to Buchberger’s algorithm with applications to syzygies, Hilbert polynomials, primary decompositions. There is an introduction to classical algebraic geometry with applications to the ideal membership problem, solving polynomial equations and elimination theory. …The book is well-written. …The reviewer is sure that it will be an excellent guide to introduce further undergraduates in the algorithmic aspect of commutative algebra and algebraic geometry.” —Peter Schenzel, zbMATH, 2007“I consider the book to be wonderful. ... The exposition is very clear, there are many helpful pictures and there are a great many instructive exercises, some quite challenging ... offers the heart and soul of modern commutative and algebraic geometry.” —The American Mathematical Monthly