Thorsten Theobald – författare

An original motivation for algebraic geometry was to understand curves and surfaces in three dimensions. Recent theoretical and technological advances in areas such as robotics, computer vision, computer-aided geometric design and molecular biology, together with the increased availability of computational resources, have brought these original questions once more into the forefront of research. One particular challenge is to combine applicable methods from algebraic geometry with proven techniques from piecewise-linear computational geometry (such as Voronoi diagrams and hyperplane arrangements) to develop tools for treating curved objects. These research efforts may be summarized under the term nonlinear computational geometry.

This volume grew out of an IMA workshop on Nonlinear Computational Geometry in May/June 2007 (organized by I.Z. Emiris, R. Goldman, F. Sottile, T. Theobald) which gathered leading experts in this emerging field. The research and expository articles in the volume are intended to provide an overview of nonlinear computational geometry. Since the topic involves computational geometry, algebraic geometry, and geometric modeling, the volume has contributions from all of these areas. By addressing a broad range of issues from purely theoretical and algorithmic problems, to implementation and practical applications this volume conveys the spirit of the IMA workshop.

Polyhedral and Algebraic Methods in Computational Geometry provides a thorough introduction into algorithmic geometry and its applications. It presents its primary topics from the viewpoints of discrete, convex and elementary algebraic geometry.

The first part of the book studies classical problems and techniques that refer to polyhedral structures. The authors include a study on algorithms for computing convex hulls as well as the construction of Voronoi diagrams and Delone triangulations.

The second part of the book develops the primary concepts of (non-linear) computational algebraic geometry. Here, the book looks at Gröbner bases and solving systems of polynomial equations. The theory is illustrated by applications in computer graphics, curve reconstruction and robotics.

Throughout the book, interconnections between computational geometry and other disciplines (such as algebraic geometry, optimization and numerical mathematics) are established.

Polyhedral and Algebraic Methods in Computational Geometry is directed towards advanced undergraduates in mathematics and computer science, as well as towards engineering students who are interested in the applications of computational geometry.

Das an Studienanfänger der Mathematik gerichtete Lehrbuch bietet eine breit angelegte Einführung in verschiedene Facetten der computerorientierten Mathematik. Es ermöglicht eine frühzeitige und wertvolle Auseinandersetzung mit computerorientierten Methoden, Denkweisen und Arbeitstechniken innerhalb der Mathematik.

Hierzu werden grundlegende mathematische Teilgebiete behandelt, die eine enge Beziehung zu computerorientierten Aspekten haben: Graphen, mathematische Algorithmen, Rekursionsgleichungen, computerorientierte lineare Algebra, Zahlen, Polynome und ihre Nullstellen. Anhand des mathematischen Kernstrangs werden Einblicke in die Modellierung, Analyse und algorithmische Aufbereitung fundamentaler mathematischer Sachverhalte gegeben.

Eine Besonderheit des Buches ist die Verwendung des sich immer stärker in Forschung und Lehre verbreitenden, frei verfügbaren Software-Systems Sage.

Das Buch eignet sich besonders gut zurKomplementierung der klassischen Grundvorlesungen in Analysis und linearer Algebra.