Algebra (Q5920525): Difference between revisions

The aim of this new textbook of modern abstract algebra is to provide a profound introduction to the fundamental concepts, methods, and results in this central area of contemporary mathematics, and to afford a view of various developments in the realm of algebra that are closely interlaced with other branches of mathematics, especially with arithmetic. Accordingly, the entire text consists of two main parts: basic topics and further, more advanced topics, where the partition is about fifty-fifty. The book comes with ten chapters, each of which is subdivided into a varying number of sections. The first six chapters cover the basic material of abstract algebra in the meanwhile traditional way. However, the authors have added some non-standard extras, here and there, which grants already this introductory part of the textbook its individual flavor. Chapter 1 treats the foundations of group theory, including the symmetric groups, normal subgroups, factor groups, the isomorphism theorems, direct and semi-direct products of groups, and actions of groups on sets. Also, this chapter introduces exact sequences of group homomorphisms and group extensions. Chapter 2 turns to the structural theory of groups and discusses the Sylow theorems, the Jordan-Hölder theorem, solvable groups, nilpotent groups, and the classification of finitely generated abelian groups. In addition to this standard material, the authors also introduce projective abelian groups, arbitrary free groups, and the construction of groups by generators and relations. Finally, the general linear groups over a field are analyzed in some more detail. Chapter 3 is dedicated to basic ring theory, including the localization principle and divisibilty in integral domains. This is followed by the structural theory of polynomial rings in one or several variables in Chapter 4. As a non-standard topic, there is an extra section on polynomial rings over an arbitrary (possibly noncommutative) ring (à la O. Ore), pointing to important applications to rings of differential operators, enveloping algebras of Lie algebras, or quantum groups. In general, it is one of the peculiarities of the present textbook that particular emphasis is put on the noncommutative aspects of algebra. In contrast to many other primers of abstract algebra, where the elements of commutative algebra are preferably stressed, the present textbook sets comparatively less store by that common practice, but brings to bear noncommutative algebra to a much larger extent than others. In regard of this very fact, which becomes even more evident in the second part of the book, this algebra text holds a fairly unique position in the relevant literature on the subject. Chapter 5 continues the introduction to basic algebra by presenting the classical material on field extensions and the theory of finite fields, and Chapter 6 treats classical elementary Galois theory. With a view to arithmetic application, this chapter also contains a section on norms and traces of field extensions. Chapter 7 offers an introduction to module theory, including Noetherian modules, indecomposable modules, modules over principal domains, and tensor products of modules. In three additional sections to this chapter, the authors also discuss Hilbert's base theorem, projective and injective modules, extensions of modules, and the construction of higher Ext-modules. This is certainly the transition to the second, more specialized and advanced part of the book, which then incorporates the remaing three chapters. Chapter 8 turns to the refinement of the module theory dealt with in the foregoing chapter, with a view toward applications to the theory of (noncommutative) rings. To this end, the authors cover simple and semi-simple modules, the classification of semi-simple rings, Jacobson's density theorem and Wedderburn's theorem, algebras and group algebras, Artinian modules and Artinian rings, modules of finite length, and the fundamental theorems of Jordan-Hölder, Fitting, and Krull-Schmidt. Three additional sections are devoted to even more specific topics: projective modules over artinian rings, Frobenius algebras, and representations of quivers, together with an outlook to their far-reaching applications in modern mathematics. Chapter 9 developes the theory of finite-dimensional division algebras over an arbitrary field. Grown out of problems in algebraic number theory (class field theory), and having become a fundamental toolkit in this branch of mathematics, the theory of central simple algebras is barely covered by other textbooks of algebra. In this regard, the book under review represents a highly welcome exception, as Chapter 9 thoroughly discusses quaternionic algebras, central algebras, simple algebras, Brauer groups, splitting fields of algebras, the theorem of Skolem-Noether, the theorem of Wedderburn, cyclic algebras, and other related material. Finally, Chapter 10 extends the introduction to arithmetically relevant topics in basic algebra to integral ring extensions and Dedekind rings, including the respective decomposition theorems and a little ramification theory. In an extra section, the general linear group over rings of integers of a number field is treated in great detail. Each chapter comes with a large set of skillfully selected, inspiring and complementing exercises. Together with the numerous instructive examples given in the text, these exercises, varying in their degree of difficulty, do help (and challenge) the reader acquire a much deeper understanding of the respective topic. Also, the authors have added a list of references for further reading, supplied with detailed comments and hints. In summary, the book under review is an excellent introduction to basic and advanced modern algebra. It contains a wealth of material on the subject, without being frightfully voluminous, and it illuminates various branches of algebra, ranging from the very basics up to homological or noncommutative aspects. The style of writing is compact, elegant, rigorous, comprehensible, and vivid in a like manner, and the arrangement of the material exhibits didactic mastery, too. The book offers enough contents for a two-semester course in algebra for seasoned undergraduates, or beginning graduates, and it is perfectly suited for private study likewise. Both a translation into English and a supplement with solutions to selected exercises could make this book one of the great international standard texts!