eBook ISBN: | 978-0-88385-955-1 |
Product Code: | NML/41.E |
List Price: | $50.00 |
MAA Member Price: | $37.50 |
AMS Member Price: | $37.50 |
eBook ISBN: | 978-0-88385-955-1 |
Product Code: | NML/41.E |
List Price: | $50.00 |
MAA Member Price: | $37.50 |
AMS Member Price: | $37.50 |
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Book DetailsAnneli Lax New Mathematical LibraryVolume: 41; 2000; 176 pp
The Geometry of Numbers presents a self-contained introduction to the geometry of numbers, beginning with easily understood questions about lattice-points on lines, circles, and inside simple polygons in the plane. Little mathematical expertise is required beyond an acquaintance with those objects and with some basic results in geometry. The reader moves gradually to theorems of Minkowski and others who succeeded him. On the way, he or she will see how this powerful approach gives improved approximations to irrational numbers by rationals, simplifies arguments on ways of representing integers as sums of squares, and provides a natural tool for attacking problems involving dense packings of spheres. An appendix by Peter Lax gives a lovely geometric proof of the fact that the Gaussian integers form a Euclidean domain, characterizing the Gaussian primes, and proving that unique factorization holds there. In the process, he provides yet another glimpse into the power of a geometric approach to number theoretic problems.
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Table of Contents
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Chapters
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Chapter 1. Lattice Points and Straight Lines
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Chapter 2. Counting Lattice Points
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Chapter 3. Lattice Points and the Area of Polygons
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Chapter 4. Lattice Points in Circles
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Chapter 5. Minkowski’s Fundamental Theorem
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Chapter 6. Applications of Minkowski’s Theorems
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Chapter 7. Linear Transformations and Integral Lattices
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Chapter 8. Geometric Interpretations of Quadratic Forms
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Chapter 9. A New Principle in the Geometry of Numbers
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Chapter 10. A Minkowski Theorem (Optional)
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Appendix I. Gaussian Integers, by Peter D. Lax
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Appendix II. The Closest Packing of Convex Bodies
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Appendix III. Brief Biographies
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Solutions and Hints
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Reviews
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The interplay between geometric methods and apparently non-geometric questions is intriguing, and many of the proofs are very elegant. Much of the geometry of numbers can be explained at a relatively elementary level, but there are few books on the subject aimed at beginning students. This book is likely the most accessible treatment of this material ever written. It should play a valuable role in exposing bright high school students, or college math majors, to the geometry of numbers.
Henry Cohn, MAA Reviews
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RequestsReview Copy – for publishers of book reviewsAccessibility – to request an alternate format of an AMS title
- Book Details
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- Reviews
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The Geometry of Numbers presents a self-contained introduction to the geometry of numbers, beginning with easily understood questions about lattice-points on lines, circles, and inside simple polygons in the plane. Little mathematical expertise is required beyond an acquaintance with those objects and with some basic results in geometry. The reader moves gradually to theorems of Minkowski and others who succeeded him. On the way, he or she will see how this powerful approach gives improved approximations to irrational numbers by rationals, simplifies arguments on ways of representing integers as sums of squares, and provides a natural tool for attacking problems involving dense packings of spheres. An appendix by Peter Lax gives a lovely geometric proof of the fact that the Gaussian integers form a Euclidean domain, characterizing the Gaussian primes, and proving that unique factorization holds there. In the process, he provides yet another glimpse into the power of a geometric approach to number theoretic problems.
-
Chapters
-
Chapter 1. Lattice Points and Straight Lines
-
Chapter 2. Counting Lattice Points
-
Chapter 3. Lattice Points and the Area of Polygons
-
Chapter 4. Lattice Points in Circles
-
Chapter 5. Minkowski’s Fundamental Theorem
-
Chapter 6. Applications of Minkowski’s Theorems
-
Chapter 7. Linear Transformations and Integral Lattices
-
Chapter 8. Geometric Interpretations of Quadratic Forms
-
Chapter 9. A New Principle in the Geometry of Numbers
-
Chapter 10. A Minkowski Theorem (Optional)
-
Appendix I. Gaussian Integers, by Peter D. Lax
-
Appendix II. The Closest Packing of Convex Bodies
-
Appendix III. Brief Biographies
-
Solutions and Hints
-
The interplay between geometric methods and apparently non-geometric questions is intriguing, and many of the proofs are very elegant. Much of the geometry of numbers can be explained at a relatively elementary level, but there are few books on the subject aimed at beginning students. This book is likely the most accessible treatment of this material ever written. It should play a valuable role in exposing bright high school students, or college math majors, to the geometry of numbers.
Henry Cohn, MAA Reviews