Quadratic Forms with Applications to Algebraic Geometry and Topology
This volume has grown out of lectures given by Professor Pfister over many years. The emphasis here is placed on results about quadratic forms that give rise to interconnections between number theory, algebra, algebraic geometry and topology. Topics discussed include Hilbert's 17th problem, the Tsen-Lang theory of quasi algebraically closed fields, the level of topological spaces and systems of quadratic forms over arbitrary fields. Whenever possible proofs are short and elegant, and the author's aim was to make this book as self-contained as possible. This is a gem of a book bringing together thirty years' worth of results that are certain to interest anyone whose research touches on quadratic forms.
- Very well known figure
- Material that cannot be found elsewhere
Reviews & endorsements
'A very readable complement to the standard treatments.' Mathematica
Product details
February 2011Adobe eBook Reader
9780511892912
0 pages
0kg
This ISBN is for an eBook version which is distributed on our behalf by a third party.
Table of Contents
- 1. The representation theory of Cassels
- 2. Multiplicative quadratic forms
- 3. The level of fields, rings and topological spaces
- 4. Hilbert's homogeneous nullstellensatz
- 5. Tsen-Lang theory
- 6. Hilbert's 17th problem
- 7. The Pythagoras number
- 8. The u-invariant
- 9. Systems of quadratic forms
- 10. The level of projective spaces.