This book explains some recent applications of the theory of polynomials and algebraic geometry to combinatorics and other areas of mathematics. One of the first results in this story is a short elegant solution of the Kakeya problem for finite fields, which was considered a deep and difficult problem in combinatorial geometry. The author also discusses in detail various problems in incidence geometry associated to Paul Erdős's famous distinct distances problem in the plane from the 1940s. The proof techniques are also connected to error-correcting codes, Fourier analysis, number theory, and differential geometry. Although the mathematics discussed in the book is deep and far-reaching, it should be accessible to first- and second-year graduate students and advanced undergraduates. The book contains approximately 100 exercises that further the reader's understanding of the main themes of the book.

Since the early 1960s, polyhedral methods have played a central role in both the theory and practice of combinatorial optimization. Since the early 1990s, a new technique, semidefinite programming, has been increasingly applied to some combinatorial optimization problems. The semidefinite programming problem is the problem of optimizing a linear function of matrix variables, subject to finitely many linear inequalities and the positive semidefiniteness condition on some of the matrix variables. On certain problems, such as maximum cut, maximum satisfiability, maximum stable set and geometric representations of graphs, semidefinite programming techniques yield important new results. This monograph provides the necessary background to work with semidefinite optimization techniques, usually by drawing parallels to the development of polyhedral techniques and with a special focus on combinatorial optimization, graph theory and lift-and-project methods. It allows the reader to rigorously develop the necessary knowledge, tools and skills to work in the area that is at the intersection of combinatorial optimization and semidefinite optimization. A solid background in mathematics at the undergraduate level and some exposure to linear optimization are required. Some familiarity with computational complexity theory and the analysis of algorithms would be helpful. Readers with these prerequisites will appreciate the important open problems and exciting new directions as well as new connections to other areas in mathematical sciences that the book provides.

A thorough yet accessible introduction to the mathematical breakthroughs achieved by using new polynomial methods in the past decade.

Polynomial Identities and Combinatorial Methods presents a wide range of perspectives on topics ranging from ring theory and combinatorics to invariant theory and associative algebras. It covers recent breakthroughs and strategies impacting research on polynomial identities and identifies new concepts in algebraic combinatorics, invariant and representation theory, and Lie algebras and superalgebras for novel studies in the field. It presents intensive discussions on various methods and techniques relating the theory of polynomial identities to other branches of algebraic study and includes discussions on Hopf algebras and quantum polynomials, free algebras and Scheier varieties.

Historically, there is a close connection between geometry and optImization. This is illustrated by methods like the gradient method and the simplex method, which are associated with clear geometric pictures. In combinatorial optimization, however, many of the strongest and most frequently used algorithms are based on the discrete structure of the problems: the greedy algorithm, shortest path and alternating path methods, branch-and-bound, etc. In the last several years geometric methods, in particular polyhedral combinatorics, have played a more and more profound role in combinatorial optimization as well. Our book discusses two recent geometric algorithms that have turned out to have particularly interesting consequences in combinatorial optimization, at least from a theoretical point of view. These algorithms are able to utilize the rich body of results in polyhedral combinatorics. The first of these algorithms is the ellipsoid method, developed for nonlinear programming by N. Z. Shor, D. B. Yudin, and A. S. NemirovskiI. It was a great surprise when L. G. Khachiyan showed that this method can be adapted to solve linear programs in polynomial time, thus solving an important open theoretical problem. While the ellipsoid method has not proved to be competitive with the simplex method in practice, it does have some features which make it particularly suited for the purposes of combinatorial optimization. The second algorithm we discuss finds its roots in the classical "geometry of numbers", developed by Minkowski. This method has had traditionally deep applications in number theory, in particular in diophantine approximation.

This book constitutes the joint refereed proceedings of the 14th International Workshop on Approximation Algorithms for Combinatorial Optimization Problems, APPROX 2011, and the 15th International Workshop on Randomization and Computation, RANDOM 2011, held in Princeton, New Jersey, USA, in August 2011. The volume presents 29 revised full papers of the APPROX 2011 workshop, selected from 66 submissions, and 29 revised full papers of the RANDOM 2011 workshop, selected from 64 submissions. They were carefully reviewed and selected for inclusion in the book. In addition two abstracts of invited talks are included. APPROX focuses on algorithmic and complexity issues surrounding the development of efficient approximate solutions to computationally difficult problems. RANDOM is concerned with applications of randomness to computational and combinatorial problems.

Issues in Logic, Probability, Combinatorics, and Chaos Theory: 2011 Edition is a ScholarlyEditions™ eBook that delivers timely, authoritative, and comprehensive information about Logic, Probability, Combinatorics, and Chaos Theory. The editors have built Issues in Logic, Probability, Combinatorics, and Chaos Theory: 2011 Edition on the vast information databases of ScholarlyNews.™ You can expect the information about Logic, Probability, Combinatorics, and Chaos Theory in this eBook to be deeper than what you can access anywhere else, as well as consistently reliable, authoritative, informed, and relevant. The content of Issues in Logic, Probability, Combinatorics, and Chaos Theory: 2011 Edition has been produced by the world’s leading scientists, engineers, analysts, research institutions, and companies. All of the content is from peer-reviewed sources, and all of it is written, assembled, and edited by the editors at ScholarlyEditions™ and available exclusively from us. You now have a source you can cite with authority, confidence, and credibility. More information is available at http://www.ScholarlyEditions.com/.

From the reviews: "About 30 years ago, when I was a student, the first book on combinatorial optimization came out referred to as "the Lawler" simply. I think that now, with this volume Springer has landed a coup: "The Schrijver". The box is offered for less than 90.- EURO, which to my opinion is one of the best deals after the introduction of this currency." OR-Spectrum

Excellent authors, such as Lovasz, one of the five best combinatorialists in the world; Thematic linking that makes it a coherent collection; Will appeal to a variety of communities, such as mathematics, computer science and operations research