Author: V.S. Varadarajan
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1441906673
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 242
Book Description
This is a collection of essays based on lectures that author has given on various occasions on foundation of quantum theory, symmetries and representation theory, and the quantum theory of the superworld created by physicists. The lectures are linked by a unifying theme: how the quantum world and superworld appear under the lens of symmetry and supersymmetry. In the world of ultra-small times and distances such as the Planck length and Planck time, physicists believe no measurements are possible and so the structure of spacetime itself is an unknown that has to be first understood. There have been suggestions (Volovich hypothesis) that world geometry at such energy regimes is non-archimedian and some of the lectures explore the consequences of such a hypothesis. Ultimately, symmetries and supersymmetries are described by the representation of groups and supergroups. The author's interest in representation is a lifelong one and evolved slowly, and owes a great deal to conversations and discussions he had with George Mackey and Harish-Chandra. The book concludes with a retrospective look at these conversations.
Reflections on Quanta, Symmetries, and Supersymmetries
Author: V.S. Varadarajan
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1441906673
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 242
Book Description
This is a collection of essays based on lectures that author has given on various occasions on foundation of quantum theory, symmetries and representation theory, and the quantum theory of the superworld created by physicists. The lectures are linked by a unifying theme: how the quantum world and superworld appear under the lens of symmetry and supersymmetry. In the world of ultra-small times and distances such as the Planck length and Planck time, physicists believe no measurements are possible and so the structure of spacetime itself is an unknown that has to be first understood. There have been suggestions (Volovich hypothesis) that world geometry at such energy regimes is non-archimedian and some of the lectures explore the consequences of such a hypothesis. Ultimately, symmetries and supersymmetries are described by the representation of groups and supergroups. The author's interest in representation is a lifelong one and evolved slowly, and owes a great deal to conversations and discussions he had with George Mackey and Harish-Chandra. The book concludes with a retrospective look at these conversations.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1441906673
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 242
Book Description
This is a collection of essays based on lectures that author has given on various occasions on foundation of quantum theory, symmetries and representation theory, and the quantum theory of the superworld created by physicists. The lectures are linked by a unifying theme: how the quantum world and superworld appear under the lens of symmetry and supersymmetry. In the world of ultra-small times and distances such as the Planck length and Planck time, physicists believe no measurements are possible and so the structure of spacetime itself is an unknown that has to be first understood. There have been suggestions (Volovich hypothesis) that world geometry at such energy regimes is non-archimedian and some of the lectures explore the consequences of such a hypothesis. Ultimately, symmetries and supersymmetries are described by the representation of groups and supergroups. The author's interest in representation is a lifelong one and evolved slowly, and owes a great deal to conversations and discussions he had with George Mackey and Harish-Chandra. The book concludes with a retrospective look at these conversations.
Reflections on Quanta, Symmetries, and Supersymmetries
Author: Veeravalli Seshadri Varadarajan
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9781441906687
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 236
Book Description
This is a collection of essays based on lectures that author has given on various occasions on foundation of quantum theory, symmetries and representation theory, and the quantum theory of the superworld created by physicists. The lectures are linked by a unifying theme: how the quantum world and superworld appear under the lens of symmetry and supersymmetry. In the world of ultra-small times and distances such as the Planck length and Planck time, physicists believe no measurements are possible and so the structure of spacetime itself is an unknown that has to be first understood. There have been suggestions (Volovich hypothesis) that world geometry at such energy regimes is non-archimedian and some of the lectures explore the consequences of such a hypothesis. Ultimately, symmetries and supersymmetries are described by the representation of groups and supergroups. The author's interest in representation is a lifelong one and evolved slowly, and owes a great deal to conversations and discussions he had with George Mackey and Harish-Chandra. The book concludes with a retrospective look at these conversations.
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9781441906687
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 236
Book Description
This is a collection of essays based on lectures that author has given on various occasions on foundation of quantum theory, symmetries and representation theory, and the quantum theory of the superworld created by physicists. The lectures are linked by a unifying theme: how the quantum world and superworld appear under the lens of symmetry and supersymmetry. In the world of ultra-small times and distances such as the Planck length and Planck time, physicists believe no measurements are possible and so the structure of spacetime itself is an unknown that has to be first understood. There have been suggestions (Volovich hypothesis) that world geometry at such energy regimes is non-archimedian and some of the lectures explore the consequences of such a hypothesis. Ultimately, symmetries and supersymmetries are described by the representation of groups and supergroups. The author's interest in representation is a lifelong one and evolved slowly, and owes a great deal to conversations and discussions he had with George Mackey and Harish-Chandra. The book concludes with a retrospective look at these conversations.
Ultrametric Pseudodifferential Equations and Applications
Author: Andrei Yu. Khrennikov
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108102905
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 256
Book Description
Starting from physical motivations and leading to practical applications, this book provides an interdisciplinary perspective on the cutting edge of ultrametric pseudodifferential equations. It shows the ways in which these equations link different fields including mathematics, engineering, and geophysics. In particular, the authors provide a detailed explanation of the geophysical applications of p-adic diffusion equations, useful when modeling the flows of liquids through porous rock. p-adic wavelets theory and p-adic pseudodifferential equations are also presented, along with their connections to mathematical physics, representation theory, the physics of disordered systems, probability, number theory, and p-adic dynamical systems. Material that was previously spread across many articles in journals of many different fields is brought together here, including recent work on the van der Put series technique. This book provides an excellent snapshot of the fascinating field of ultrametric pseudodifferential equations, including their emerging applications and currently unsolved problems.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108102905
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 256
Book Description
Starting from physical motivations and leading to practical applications, this book provides an interdisciplinary perspective on the cutting edge of ultrametric pseudodifferential equations. It shows the ways in which these equations link different fields including mathematics, engineering, and geophysics. In particular, the authors provide a detailed explanation of the geophysical applications of p-adic diffusion equations, useful when modeling the flows of liquids through porous rock. p-adic wavelets theory and p-adic pseudodifferential equations are also presented, along with their connections to mathematical physics, representation theory, the physics of disordered systems, probability, number theory, and p-adic dynamical systems. Material that was previously spread across many articles in journals of many different fields is brought together here, including recent work on the van der Put series technique. This book provides an excellent snapshot of the fascinating field of ultrametric pseudodifferential equations, including their emerging applications and currently unsolved problems.
p-Adic Analysis
Author: W. A. Zúñiga-Galindo
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG
ISBN: 3111578682
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 162
Book Description
This book is intended to provide a fast, interdisciplinary introduction to the basic results of p-adic analysis and its connections with mathematical physics and applications. The book revolves around three topics: (1) p-adic heat equations and ultradiffusion; (2) fundamental solutions and local zeta functions, Riesz kernels, and quadratic forms; (3) Sobolev-type spaces and pseudo-differential evolution equations. These topics are deeply connected with very relevant current research areas. The book includes numerous examples, exercises, and snapshots of several mathematical theories. This book arose from the need to quickly introduce mathematical audience the basic concepts and techniques to do research in p-adic analysis and its connections with mathematical physics and other areas. The book is addressed to a general mathematical audience, which includes computer scientists, theoretical physicists, and people interested in mathematical analysis, PDEs, etc.
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG
ISBN: 3111578682
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 162
Book Description
This book is intended to provide a fast, interdisciplinary introduction to the basic results of p-adic analysis and its connections with mathematical physics and applications. The book revolves around three topics: (1) p-adic heat equations and ultradiffusion; (2) fundamental solutions and local zeta functions, Riesz kernels, and quadratic forms; (3) Sobolev-type spaces and pseudo-differential evolution equations. These topics are deeply connected with very relevant current research areas. The book includes numerous examples, exercises, and snapshots of several mathematical theories. This book arose from the need to quickly introduce mathematical audience the basic concepts and techniques to do research in p-adic analysis and its connections with mathematical physics and other areas. The book is addressed to a general mathematical audience, which includes computer scientists, theoretical physicists, and people interested in mathematical analysis, PDEs, etc.
A Course in Complex Analysis and Riemann Surfaces
Author: Wilhelm Schlag
Publisher: American Mathematical Society
ISBN: 0821898477
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 402
Book Description
Complex analysis is a cornerstone of mathematics, making it an essential element of any area of study in graduate mathematics. Schlag's treatment of the subject emphasizes the intuitive geometric underpinnings of elementary complex analysis that naturally lead to the theory of Riemann surfaces. The book begins with an exposition of the basic theory of holomorphic functions of one complex variable. The first two chapters constitute a fairly rapid, but comprehensive course in complex analysis. The third chapter is devoted to the study of harmonic functions on the disk and the half-plane, with an emphasis on the Dirichlet problem. Starting with the fourth chapter, the theory of Riemann surfaces is developed in some detail and with complete rigor. From the beginning, the geometric aspects are emphasized and classical topics such as elliptic functions and elliptic integrals are presented as illustrations of the abstract theory. The special role of compact Riemann surfaces is explained, and their connection with algebraic equations is established. The book concludes with three chapters devoted to three major results: the Hodge decomposition theorem, the Riemann-Roch theorem, and the uniformization theorem. These chapters present the core technical apparatus of Riemann surface theory at this level. This text is intended as a detailed, yet fast-paced intermediate introduction to those parts of the theory of one complex variable that seem most useful in other areas of mathematics, including geometric group theory, dynamics, algebraic geometry, number theory, and functional analysis. More than seventy figures serve to illustrate concepts and ideas, and the many problems at the end of each chapter give the reader ample opportunity for practice and independent study.
Publisher: American Mathematical Society
ISBN: 0821898477
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 402
Book Description
Complex analysis is a cornerstone of mathematics, making it an essential element of any area of study in graduate mathematics. Schlag's treatment of the subject emphasizes the intuitive geometric underpinnings of elementary complex analysis that naturally lead to the theory of Riemann surfaces. The book begins with an exposition of the basic theory of holomorphic functions of one complex variable. The first two chapters constitute a fairly rapid, but comprehensive course in complex analysis. The third chapter is devoted to the study of harmonic functions on the disk and the half-plane, with an emphasis on the Dirichlet problem. Starting with the fourth chapter, the theory of Riemann surfaces is developed in some detail and with complete rigor. From the beginning, the geometric aspects are emphasized and classical topics such as elliptic functions and elliptic integrals are presented as illustrations of the abstract theory. The special role of compact Riemann surfaces is explained, and their connection with algebraic equations is established. The book concludes with three chapters devoted to three major results: the Hodge decomposition theorem, the Riemann-Roch theorem, and the uniformization theorem. These chapters present the core technical apparatus of Riemann surface theory at this level. This text is intended as a detailed, yet fast-paced intermediate introduction to those parts of the theory of one complex variable that seem most useful in other areas of mathematics, including geometric group theory, dynamics, algebraic geometry, number theory, and functional analysis. More than seventy figures serve to illustrate concepts and ideas, and the many problems at the end of each chapter give the reader ample opportunity for practice and independent study.
Advances in Non-Archimedean Analysis and Applications
Author: W. A. Zúñiga-Galindo
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030819760
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 326
Book Description
This book provides a broad, interdisciplinary overview of non-Archimedean analysis and its applications. Featuring new techniques developed by leading experts in the field, it highlights the relevance and depth of this important area of mathematics, in particular its expanding reach into the physical, biological, social, and computational sciences as well as engineering and technology. In the last forty years the connections between non-Archimedean mathematics and disciplines such as physics, biology, economics and engineering, have received considerable attention. Ultrametric spaces appear naturally in models where hierarchy plays a central role – a phenomenon known as ultrametricity. In the 80s, the idea of using ultrametric spaces to describe the states of complex systems, with a natural hierarchical structure, emerged in the works of Fraunfelder, Parisi, Stein and others. A central paradigm in the physics of certain complex systems – for instance, proteins – asserts that the dynamics of such a system can be modeled as a random walk on the energy landscape of the system. To construct mathematical models, the energy landscape is approximated by an ultrametric space (a finite rooted tree), and then the dynamics of the system is modeled as a random walk on the leaves of a finite tree. In the same decade, Volovich proposed using ultrametric spaces in physical models dealing with very short distances. This conjecture has led to a large body of research in quantum field theory and string theory. In economics, the non-Archimedean utility theory uses probability measures with values in ordered non-Archimedean fields. Ultrametric spaces are also vital in classification and clustering techniques. Currently, researchers are actively investigating the following areas: p-adic dynamical systems, p-adic techniques in cryptography, p-adic reaction-diffusion equations and biological models, p-adic models in geophysics, stochastic processes in ultrametric spaces, applications of ultrametric spaces in data processing, and more. This contributed volume gathers the latest theoretical developments as well as state-of-the art applications of non-Archimedean analysis. It covers non-Archimedean and non-commutative geometry, renormalization, p-adic quantum field theory and p-adic quantum mechanics, as well as p-adic string theory and p-adic dynamics. Further topics include ultrametric bioinformation, cryptography and bioinformatics in p-adic settings, non-Archimedean spacetime, gravity and cosmology, p-adic methods in spin glasses, and non-Archimedean analysis of mental spaces. By doing so, it highlights new avenues of research in the mathematical sciences, biosciences and computational sciences.
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030819760
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 326
Book Description
This book provides a broad, interdisciplinary overview of non-Archimedean analysis and its applications. Featuring new techniques developed by leading experts in the field, it highlights the relevance and depth of this important area of mathematics, in particular its expanding reach into the physical, biological, social, and computational sciences as well as engineering and technology. In the last forty years the connections between non-Archimedean mathematics and disciplines such as physics, biology, economics and engineering, have received considerable attention. Ultrametric spaces appear naturally in models where hierarchy plays a central role – a phenomenon known as ultrametricity. In the 80s, the idea of using ultrametric spaces to describe the states of complex systems, with a natural hierarchical structure, emerged in the works of Fraunfelder, Parisi, Stein and others. A central paradigm in the physics of certain complex systems – for instance, proteins – asserts that the dynamics of such a system can be modeled as a random walk on the energy landscape of the system. To construct mathematical models, the energy landscape is approximated by an ultrametric space (a finite rooted tree), and then the dynamics of the system is modeled as a random walk on the leaves of a finite tree. In the same decade, Volovich proposed using ultrametric spaces in physical models dealing with very short distances. This conjecture has led to a large body of research in quantum field theory and string theory. In economics, the non-Archimedean utility theory uses probability measures with values in ordered non-Archimedean fields. Ultrametric spaces are also vital in classification and clustering techniques. Currently, researchers are actively investigating the following areas: p-adic dynamical systems, p-adic techniques in cryptography, p-adic reaction-diffusion equations and biological models, p-adic models in geophysics, stochastic processes in ultrametric spaces, applications of ultrametric spaces in data processing, and more. This contributed volume gathers the latest theoretical developments as well as state-of-the art applications of non-Archimedean analysis. It covers non-Archimedean and non-commutative geometry, renormalization, p-adic quantum field theory and p-adic quantum mechanics, as well as p-adic string theory and p-adic dynamics. Further topics include ultrametric bioinformation, cryptography and bioinformatics in p-adic settings, non-Archimedean spacetime, gravity and cosmology, p-adic methods in spin glasses, and non-Archimedean analysis of mental spaces. By doing so, it highlights new avenues of research in the mathematical sciences, biosciences and computational sciences.
Mirror Symmetry
Author: Kentaro Hori
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 0821829556
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 954
Book Description
This thorough and detailed exposition is the result of an intensive month-long course on mirror symmetry sponsored by the Clay Mathematics Institute. It develops mirror symmetry from both mathematical and physical perspectives with the aim of furthering interaction between the two fields. The material will be particularly useful for mathematicians and physicists who wish to advance their understanding across both disciplines. Mirror symmetry is a phenomenon arising in string theory in which two very different manifolds give rise to equivalent physics. Such a correspondence has significant mathematical consequences, the most familiar of which involves the enumeration of holomorphic curves inside complex manifolds by solving differential equations obtained from a ``mirror'' geometry. The inclusion of D-brane states in the equivalence has led to further conjectures involving calibrated submanifolds of the mirror pairs and new (conjectural) invariants of complex manifolds: the Gopakumar-Vafa invariants. This book gives a single, cohesive treatment of mirror symmetry. Parts 1 and 2 develop the necessary mathematical and physical background from ``scratch''. The treatment is focused, developing only the material most necessary for the task. In Parts 3 and 4 the physical and mathematical proofs of mirror symmetry are given. From the physics side, this means demonstrating that two different physical theories give isomorphic physics. Each physical theory can be described geometrically, and thus mirror symmetry gives rise to a ``pairing'' of geometries. The proof involves applying $R\leftrightarrow 1/R$ circle duality to the phases of the fields in the gauged linear sigma model. The mathematics proof develops Gromov-Witten theory in the algebraic setting, beginning with the moduli spaces of curves and maps, and uses localization techniques to show that certain hypergeometric functions encode the Gromov-Witten invariants in genus zero, as is predicted by mirror symmetry. Part 5 is devoted to advanced topi This one-of-a-kind book is suitable for graduate students and research mathematicians interested in mathematics and mathematical and theoretical physics.
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
ISBN: 0821829556
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 954
Book Description
This thorough and detailed exposition is the result of an intensive month-long course on mirror symmetry sponsored by the Clay Mathematics Institute. It develops mirror symmetry from both mathematical and physical perspectives with the aim of furthering interaction between the two fields. The material will be particularly useful for mathematicians and physicists who wish to advance their understanding across both disciplines. Mirror symmetry is a phenomenon arising in string theory in which two very different manifolds give rise to equivalent physics. Such a correspondence has significant mathematical consequences, the most familiar of which involves the enumeration of holomorphic curves inside complex manifolds by solving differential equations obtained from a ``mirror'' geometry. The inclusion of D-brane states in the equivalence has led to further conjectures involving calibrated submanifolds of the mirror pairs and new (conjectural) invariants of complex manifolds: the Gopakumar-Vafa invariants. This book gives a single, cohesive treatment of mirror symmetry. Parts 1 and 2 develop the necessary mathematical and physical background from ``scratch''. The treatment is focused, developing only the material most necessary for the task. In Parts 3 and 4 the physical and mathematical proofs of mirror symmetry are given. From the physics side, this means demonstrating that two different physical theories give isomorphic physics. Each physical theory can be described geometrically, and thus mirror symmetry gives rise to a ``pairing'' of geometries. The proof involves applying $R\leftrightarrow 1/R$ circle duality to the phases of the fields in the gauged linear sigma model. The mathematics proof develops Gromov-Witten theory in the algebraic setting, beginning with the moduli spaces of curves and maps, and uses localization techniques to show that certain hypergeometric functions encode the Gromov-Witten invariants in genus zero, as is predicted by mirror symmetry. Part 5 is devoted to advanced topi This one-of-a-kind book is suitable for graduate students and research mathematicians interested in mathematics and mathematical and theoretical physics.
Information—Consciousness—Reality
Author: James B. Glattfelder
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3030036332
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 673
Book Description
This open access book chronicles the rise of a new scientific paradigm offering novel insights into the age-old enigmas of existence. Over 300 years ago, the human mind discovered the machine code of reality: mathematics. By utilizing abstract thought systems, humans began to decode the workings of the cosmos. From this understanding, the current scientific paradigm emerged, ultimately discovering the gift of technology. Today, however, our island of knowledge is surrounded by ever longer shores of ignorance. Science appears to have hit a dead end when confronted with the nature of reality and consciousness. In this fascinating and accessible volume, James Glattfelder explores a radical paradigm shift uncovering the ontology of reality. It is found to be information-theoretic and participatory, yielding a computational and programmable universe.
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3030036332
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 673
Book Description
This open access book chronicles the rise of a new scientific paradigm offering novel insights into the age-old enigmas of existence. Over 300 years ago, the human mind discovered the machine code of reality: mathematics. By utilizing abstract thought systems, humans began to decode the workings of the cosmos. From this understanding, the current scientific paradigm emerged, ultimately discovering the gift of technology. Today, however, our island of knowledge is surrounded by ever longer shores of ignorance. Science appears to have hit a dead end when confronted with the nature of reality and consciousness. In this fascinating and accessible volume, James Glattfelder explores a radical paradigm shift uncovering the ontology of reality. It is found to be information-theoretic and participatory, yielding a computational and programmable universe.
Supergravity
Author: Daniel Z. Freedman
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139642855
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 626
Book Description
Supergravity, together with string theory, is one of the most significant developments in theoretical physics. Written by two of the most respected workers in the field, this is the first-ever authoritative and systematic account of supergravity. The book starts by reviewing aspects of relativistic field theory in Minkowski spacetime. After introducing the relevant ingredients of differential geometry and gravity, some basic supergravity theories (D=4 and D=11) and the main gauge theory tools are explained. In the second half of the book, complex geometry and N=1 and N=2 supergravity theories are covered. Classical solutions and a chapter on AdS/CFT complete the book. Numerous exercises and examples make it ideal for Ph.D. students, and with applications to model building, cosmology and solutions of supergravity theories, it is also invaluable to researchers. A website hosted by the authors, featuring solutions to some exercises and additional reading material, can be found at www.cambridge.org/supergravity.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139642855
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 626
Book Description
Supergravity, together with string theory, is one of the most significant developments in theoretical physics. Written by two of the most respected workers in the field, this is the first-ever authoritative and systematic account of supergravity. The book starts by reviewing aspects of relativistic field theory in Minkowski spacetime. After introducing the relevant ingredients of differential geometry and gravity, some basic supergravity theories (D=4 and D=11) and the main gauge theory tools are explained. In the second half of the book, complex geometry and N=1 and N=2 supergravity theories are covered. Classical solutions and a chapter on AdS/CFT complete the book. Numerous exercises and examples make it ideal for Ph.D. students, and with applications to model building, cosmology and solutions of supergravity theories, it is also invaluable to researchers. A website hosted by the authors, featuring solutions to some exercises and additional reading material, can be found at www.cambridge.org/supergravity.
Euler Through Time
Author: V. S. Varadarajan
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 9780821835807
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 320
Book Description
Euler is one of the greatest and most prolific mathematicians of all time. He wrote the first accessible books on calculus, created the theory of circular functions, and discovered new areas of research such as elliptic integrals, the calculus of variations, graph theory, divergent series, and so on. It took hundreds of years for his successors to develop in full the theories he began, and some of his themes are still at the center of today's mathematics. It is of great interesttherefore to examine his work and its relation to current mathematics. This book attempts to do that. In number theory the discoveries he made empirically would require for their eventual understanding such sophisticated developments as the reciprocity laws and class field theory. His pioneering work onelliptic integrals is the precursor of the modern theory of abelian functions and abelian integrals. His evaluation of zeta and multizeta values is not only a fantastic and exciting story but very relevant to us, because they are at the confluence of much research in algebraic geometry and number theory today (Chapters 2 and 3 of the book). Anticipating his successors by more than a century, Euler created a theory of summation of series that do not converge in the traditional manner. Chapter 5of the book treats the progression of ideas regarding divergent series from Euler to many parts of modern analysis and quantum physics. The last chapter contains a brief treatment of Euler products. Euler discovered the product formula over the primes for the zeta function as well as for a smallnumber of what are now called Dirichlet $L$-functions. Here the book goes into the development of the theory of such Euler products and the role they play in number theory, thus offering the reader a glimpse of current developments (the Langlands program).
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 9780821835807
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 320
Book Description
Euler is one of the greatest and most prolific mathematicians of all time. He wrote the first accessible books on calculus, created the theory of circular functions, and discovered new areas of research such as elliptic integrals, the calculus of variations, graph theory, divergent series, and so on. It took hundreds of years for his successors to develop in full the theories he began, and some of his themes are still at the center of today's mathematics. It is of great interesttherefore to examine his work and its relation to current mathematics. This book attempts to do that. In number theory the discoveries he made empirically would require for their eventual understanding such sophisticated developments as the reciprocity laws and class field theory. His pioneering work onelliptic integrals is the precursor of the modern theory of abelian functions and abelian integrals. His evaluation of zeta and multizeta values is not only a fantastic and exciting story but very relevant to us, because they are at the confluence of much research in algebraic geometry and number theory today (Chapters 2 and 3 of the book). Anticipating his successors by more than a century, Euler created a theory of summation of series that do not converge in the traditional manner. Chapter 5of the book treats the progression of ideas regarding divergent series from Euler to many parts of modern analysis and quantum physics. The last chapter contains a brief treatment of Euler products. Euler discovered the product formula over the primes for the zeta function as well as for a smallnumber of what are now called Dirichlet $L$-functions. Here the book goes into the development of the theory of such Euler products and the role they play in number theory, thus offering the reader a glimpse of current developments (the Langlands program).