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Automatic Sequences

Automatic Sequences

Automatic Sequences

Theory, Applications, Generalizations
Jean-Paul Allouche, Université de Paris XI
Jeffrey Shallit, University of Waterloo, Ontario
September 2003
Available
Hardback
9780521823326
£85.99
GBP
Hardback
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eBook

    Uniting dozens of seemingly disparate results from different fields, this book combines concepts from mathematics and computer science to present the first integrated treatment of sequences generated by 'finite automata'. The authors apply the theory to the study of automatic sequences and their generalizations, such as Sturmian words and k-regular sequences. And further, they provide applications to number theory (particularly to formal power series and transcendence in finite characteristic), physics, computer graphics, and music. Starting from first principles wherever feasible, basic results from combinatorics on words, numeration systems, and models of computation are discussed. Thus this book is suitable for graduate students or advanced undergraduates, as well as for mature researchers wishing to know more about this fascinating subject. Results are presented from first principles wherever feasible, and the book is supplemented by a collection of 460 exercises, 85 open problems, and over 1600 citations to the literature.

    • Unites, using a consistent notation, dozens of open problems for further research
    • Many results appear in English for the first time
    • Contains hundreds of exercises and dozens of open problems for further research

    Reviews & endorsements

    '… the very first book that gathers together results from various fields of mathematics and computer science that appeared in a broad variety of journals. It presents the results in a unified manner, making use of a consistent notation and introduces some good unifying terminology, and including most of the material needed for a comprehensive exposition … useful also as a handbook for self study … extremely valuable as a reference text … I strongly recommend this excellent book to anybody interested in interaction between theoretical computer science and mathematics.' ACM SIGACT News

    'The book is very well written, and contains a tremendous amount of information … Advanced students and researchers will delight in reading Automatic Sequences.' Bulletin of the London Mathematical Society

    'The material presented in this book is well balanced, and is presented in a consistent framework … I highly recommend this book to interested readers, from advanced undergraduates to experts in the field of formal languages and number theory.' Computing Reviews

    'The book will be of use for beginners as well as for advanced students and researchers.' EMS Newsletter

    'This book has been written with the greatest care, in a clear and concise style. The authors have included a number of well-chosen examples which illustrate the general theory. Specialists would particularly appreciate the notes at the end of the chapter, recalling the main contributions and the history of the concepts that are discussed. They also provide a useful link with the impressive bibliography.' Semigroup Forum

    'Allouche and Shallit's books presents an introduction to the fascinating subject of automatic sequences. This is the first book that systematically develops the theory of these sequences.' Zentralblatt MATH

    See more reviews

    Product details

    September 2003
    Hardback
    9780521823326
    588 pages
    266 × 179 × 38 mm
    1.157kg
    170 b/w illus. 548 exercises
    Available

    Table of Contents

    • Preface
    • 1. Stringology
    • 2. Number theory and algebra
    • 3. Numeration systems
    • 4. Finite automata and other models of computation
    • 5. Automatic sequences
    • 6. Uniform morphisms and automatic sequences
    • 7. Morphic sequences
    • 8. Frequency of letters
    • 9. Characteristic words
    • 10. Subwords
    • 11. Cobham's theorem
    • 12. Formal power series
    • 13. Automatic real numbers
    • 14. Multidimensional automatic sequences
    • 15. Automaticity
    • 16. k-regular sequences
    • 17. Physics
    • Appendix. Hints, references and solutions for selected exercises
    • Bibliography
    • Index.
    Resources for
    Type
    Authors' web page
      Authors
    • Jean-Paul Allouche , Université de Paris XI
    • Jeffrey Shallit , University of Waterloo, Ontario