Undergraduate Algebraic Geometry

Algebraic geometry is, essentially, the study of the solution of equations and occupies a central position in pure mathematics. This short and readable introduction to algebraic geometry will be ideal for all undergraduate mathematicians coming to the subject for the first time. With the minimum of prerequisites, Dr Reid introduces the reader to the basic concepts of algebraic geometry including: plane conics, cubics and the group law, affine and projective varieties, and non-singularity and dimension. He is at pains to stress the connections the subject has with commutative algebra as well as its relation to topology, differential geometry, and number theory. The book arises from an undergraduate course given at the University of Warwick and contains numerous examples and exercises illustrating the theory.

This book consists of two parts. The first is devoted to an introduction to basic concepts in algebraic geometry: affine and projective varieties, some of their main attributes and examples. The second part is devoted to the theory of curves: local properties, affine and projective plane curves, resolution of singularities, linear equivalence of divisors and linear series, Riemann–Roch and Riemann–Hurwitz Theorems. The approach in this book is purely algebraic. The main tool is commutative algebra, from which the needed results are recalled, in most cases with proofs. The prerequisites consist of the knowledge of basics in affine and projective geometry, basic algebraic concepts regarding rings, modules, fields, linear algebra, basic notions in the theory of categories, and some elementary point–set topology. This book can be used as a textbook for an undergraduate course in algebraic geometry. The users of the book are not necessarily intended to become algebraic geometers but may be interested students or researchers who want to have a first smattering in the topic. The book contains several exercises, in which there are more examples and parts of the theory that are not fully developed in the text. Of some exercises, there are solutions at the end of each chapter.

Commutative algebra is at the crossroads of algebra, number theory and algebraic geometry. This textbook is affordable and clearly illustrated, and is intended for advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate students with some previous experience of rings and fields. Alongside standard algebraic notions such as generators of modules and the ascending chain condition, the book develops in detail the geometric view of a commutative ring as the ring of functions on a space. The starting point is the Nullstellensatz, which provides a close link between the geometry of a variety V and the algebra of its coordinate ring A=k[V]; however, many of the geometric ideas arising from varieties apply also to fairly general rings. The final chapter relates the material of the book to more advanced topics in commutative algebra and algebraic geometry. It includes an account of some famous 'pathological' examples of Akizuki and Nagata, and a brief but thought-provoking essay on the changing position of abstract algebra in today's world.

This book is a true introduction to the basic concepts and techniques of algebraic geometry. The language is purposefully kept on an elementary level, avoiding sheaf theory and cohomology theory. The introduction of new algebraic concepts is always motivated by a discussion of the corresponding geometric ideas. The main point of the book is to illustrate the interplay between abstract theory and specific examples. The book contains numerous problems that illustrate the general theory. The text is suitable for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students. It contains sufficient material for a one-semester course. The reader should be familiar with the basic concepts of modern algebra. A course in one complex variable would be helpful, but is not necessary.

An introduction to abstract algebraic geometry, with the only prerequisites being results from commutative algebra, which are stated as needed, and some elementary topology. More than 400 exercises distributed throughout the book offer specific examples as well as more specialised topics not treated in the main text, while three appendices present brief accounts of some areas of current research. This book can thus be used as textbook for an introductory course in algebraic geometry following a basic graduate course in algebra. Robin Hartshorne studied algebraic geometry with Oscar Zariski and David Mumford at Harvard, and with J.-P. Serre and A. Grothendieck in Paris. He is the author of "Residues and Duality", "Foundations of Projective Geometry", "Ample Subvarieties of Algebraic Varieties", and numerous research titles.

This book is unique in that it looks at geometry from 4 different viewpoints - Euclid-style axioms, linear algebra, projective geometry, and groups and their invariants Approach makes the subject accessible to readers of all mathematical tastes, from the visual to the algebraic Abundantly supplemented with figures and exercises

Written at a level appropriate to undergraduates, this book covers such topics as the Hilbert Basis Theorem, the Nullstellensatz, invariant theory, projective geometry, and dimension theory. Contains a new section on Axiom and an update about MAPLE, Mathematica and REDUCE.

An illustration of the many uses of algebraic geometry, highlighting the more recent applications of Groebner bases and resultants. Along the way, the authors provide an introduction to some algebraic objects and techniques more advanced than typically encountered in a first course. The book is accessible to non-specialists and to readers with a diverse range of backgrounds, assuming readers know the material covered in standard undergraduate courses, including abstract algebra. But because the text is intended for beginning graduate students, it does not require graduate algebra, and in particular, does not assume that the reader is familiar with modules.

The goal of this book is to provide an introduction to algebraic geometry accessible to students. Starting from solutions of polynomial equations, modern tools of the subject soon appear, motivated by how they improve our understanding of geometrical concepts. In many places, analogies and differences with related mathematical areas are explained. The text approaches foundations of algebraic geometry in a complete and self-contained way, also covering the underlying algebra. The last two chapters include a comprehensive treatment of cohomology and discuss some of its applications in algebraic geometry.

Previous edition sold 2000 copies in 3 years; Explores the subtle connections between Number Theory, Classical Geometry and Modern Algebra; Over 180 illustrations, as well as text and Maple files, are available via the web facilitate understanding: http://mathsgi01.rutgers.edu/cgi-bin/wrap/gtoth/; Contains an insert with 4-color illustrations; Includes numerous examples and worked-out problems