Classical finite transformation semigroups. An introduction. (Q929383)

``Semigroup theory is a relatively young part of mathematics. As a separate direction of algebra with its own objects, formulations of problems, and methods of investigations, semigroup theory was formed about 60 years ago.'' There are only a few old books about transformation semigroups. The present book fills a gap in the literature. ``This monograph gives a self-contained introduction to the modern theory of finite transformation semigroups with a strong emphasis on concrete examples and combinatorial applications. It covers the following topics on the examples of the three classical finite transformation semigroups: transformations and semigroups, ideals and Green's relations, subsemigroups, congruences, endomorphisms, nilpotent subsemigroups, presentations, actions on sets, linear representations, cross-sections and variants. The book contains many exercises and historical comments and is directed, first of all, to both graduate and postgraduate students looking for an introduction to the theory of transformation semigroups, but should also prove useful to tutors and researchers.'' The titles of the chapters of the book are as follows: Ordinary and Partial Transformations; The Semigroups \(T_n\), \(PT_n\), and \(IS_n\); Generating Systems; Ideals and Green's Relations; Subgroups and Subsemigroups; Other Relations on Semigroups; Endomorphisms; Nilpotent Subsemigroups; Presentation; Transitive Actions; Linear Representations; Cross-Sections; Variants; Order-Related Subsemigroups.