Synopses & Reviews
Combinatorics of Finite Geometries is an introductory text on the combinatorial theory of finite geometry. Assuming only a basic knowledge of set theory and analysis, it provides a thorough review of the topic and leads the student to results at the frontiers of research. This book begins with an elementary combinatorial approach to finite geometries based on finite sets of points and lines, and moves into the classical work on affine and projective planes. Later, it addresses polar spaces, partial geometries, and generalized quadrangles. The revised edition contains an entirely new chapter on blocking sets in linear spaces, which highlights some of the most important applications of blocking sets--from the initial game-theoretic setting to their very recent use in cryptography. Extensive exercises at the end of each chapter insure the usefulness of this book for senior undergraduate and beginning graduate students.
Review
"The whole book is warmly recommended to undergraduate students." Tamás Szõnyi, Mathematical Reviews
Synopsis
Thoroughly revised and updated, with an entirely new chapter on blocking sets in linear spaces.
Synopsis
This new edition has been thoroughly revised and updated and contains an entirely new chapter on blocking sets in linear spaces, including some of the most important applications, from the initial game-theoretic setting to their recent use in cryptography.
Synopsis
This book is an introductory text on the combinatorial theory of finite geometry. It assumes only a basic knowledge of set theory and analysis, but soon leads the student to results at the frontiers of research. The revised edition contains an entirely new chapter on blocking sets in linear spaces, which highlights some of the most important applications of blocking sets from the initial game-theoretic setting to their recent use in cryptography. Extensive exercises at the end of each chapter ensure the usefulness of this book for senior undergraduate and beginning graduate students.
Synopsis
This textbook is intended as an introduction to the combinatorial theory of finite geometry for undergraduate students of mathematics. Although only a basic knowledge of set theory and analysis is assumed, the student is soon led Op results at the frontiers of research. Professor Batten begins with a discussion of near-linear spaces before proceeding to treat linear, projective and affine spaces. This half of the book in itself would be suitable for use as a text for a course in synthethic geometry. The remainder of the book is devoted to the relatively new areas of polar spaces, generalized quadrangles and partial geometries. These subjects are currently the focus of much research in combinatorial geometry.
Table of Contents
Preface; Preface to the first edition; 1. Near-linear spaces; 2. Linear spaces; 3. Projective spaces; 4. Affine spaces; 5. Polar spaces; 6. Generalized quadrangles; 7. Partial geometries; 8. Blocking sets; Bibliography; Index of notation; Subject index.