Garret Sobczyk - Böcker

The subject of Clifford (geometric) algebras offers a unified algebraic framework for the direct expression of the geometric concepts underlying the mathematical theories of linear and multilinear algebra, projective and affine geometries, and differential geometry. This bird's-eye view of Clifford (geometric) algebras and their applications is presented by six of the world's leading experts in the field.Key topics and features of this systematic exposition:* An Introductory chapter on Clifford Algebras by Pertti Lounesto* Ian Porteous (Chapter 2) reveals the mathematical structure of Clifford algebras in terms of the classical groups* John Ryan (Chapter 3) introduces the basic concepts of Clifford analysis, which extends the well-known complex analysis of the plane to three and higher dimensions* William Baylis (Chapter 4) investigates some of the extensive applications that have been made in mathematical physics, including the basic ideas of electromagnetism and special relativity* John Selig (Chapter 5) explores the successes that Clifford algebras, especially quaternions and bi-quaternions, have found in computer vision and robotics* Tom Branson (Chapter 6) discusses some of the deepest results that Clifford algebras have made possible in our understanding of differential geometry* Editors (Appendix) give an extensive review of various software packages for computations with Clifford algebras including standalone programs, on-line calculators, special purpose numeric software, and symbolic add-ons to computer algebra systemsThis text will serve beginning graduate students and researchers in diverse areas---mathematics, physics, computer science and engineering; it will be useful both for newcomers who have little prior knowledge of the subject and established professionals who wish to keep abreast of the latest applications.

All of the efforts to build an intelligent machine have not yet produced a satisfactory autonomous system, despite the great progress that has been made in developing computer hardware over the last three decades. The complexity of the tasks that a cognitive system must perform is still not understood well enough. Recent progress in signal theory, computer vision and robotics shows that they are somehow separated from each other. The use of linear algebra over the real and complex numbers has not been adequate for the modeling of higher order geometric objects such as lines, planes and volumes. The aim of this book is to present a unified mathematical treatment of diverse problems in mathematics, physics, computer science and engineering using geometric algebra.

The first book of its kind, New Foundations in Mathematics: The Geometric Concept of Number uses geometric algebra to present an innovative approach to elementary and advanced mathematics. Geometric algebra offers a simple and robust means of expressing a wide range of ideas in mathematics, physics, and engineering. In particular, geometric algebra extends the real number system to include the concept of direction, which underpins much of modern mathematics and physics. Much of the material presented has been developed from undergraduate courses taught by the author over the years in linear algebra, theory of numbers, advanced calculus and vector calculus, numerical analysis, modern abstract algebra, and differential geometry. The principal aim of this book is to present these ideas in a freshly coherent and accessible manner.New Foundations in Mathematics will be of interest to undergraduate and graduate students of mathematics and physics who are looking for a unified treatment of many important geometric ideas arising in these subjects at all levels. The material can also serve as a supplemental textbook in some or all of the areas mentioned above and as a reference book for professionals who apply mathematics to engineering and computational areas of mathematics and physics.

The goal of this book is to present a unified mathematical treatment of diverse problems in mathematics, physics, computer science, and engineer­ ing using geometric algebra. Geometric algebra was invented by William Kingdon Clifford in 1878 as a unification and generalization of the works of Grassmann and Hamilton, which came more than a quarter of a century before. Whereas the algebras of Clifford and Grassmann are well known in advanced mathematics and physics, they have never made an impact in elementary textbooks where the vector algebra of Gibbs-Heaviside still predominates. The approach to Clifford algebra adopted in most of the ar­ ticles here was pioneered in the 1960s by David Hestenes. Later, together with Garret Sobczyk, he developed it into a unified language for math­ ematics and physics. Sobczyk first learned about the power of geometric algebra in classes in electrodynamics and relativity taught by Hestenes at Arizona State University from 1966 to 1967. He still vividly remembers a feeling of disbelief that the fundamental geometric product of vectors could have been left out of his undergraduate mathematics education. Geometric algebra provides a rich, general mathematical framework for the develop­ ment of multilinear algebra, projective and affine geometry, calculus on a manifold, the representation of Lie groups and Lie algebras, the use of the horosphere and many other areas. This book is addressed to a broad audience of applied mathematicians, physicists, computer scientists, and engineers.

Matrix algebra has been called "the arithmetic of higher mathematics" [Be]. Especially notable are those algebras which have been used for this purpose in physics, in particular, the system of complex numbers, the quatemions, matrix algebra, vector, tensor and spinor algebras and the algebra of differential forms.