Semirings and affine equations over them: theory and applications. (Q4433737)

In this book, which is a continuation of ``Semirings and their applications'' (1999; Zbl 0947.16034) and ``Power algebras over semirings. With applications in mathematics and computer science'' (1999; Zbl 0947.16035), the author points out that many important applications of semiring theory can be reduced to the problem of finding solutions of affine equations in some semimodule. To be more precise, let \((R,+,\cdot)\) be an additively commutative semiring with absorbing zero \(0\) and identity \(1\not=0\). For left \(R\)-semimodules \(M\) and \(M'\), \(R\)-homomorphisms \(\alpha,\beta\colon M \to M'\) and elements \(u,v\in M'\) consider the equation \(m\alpha+u=m\beta+v\). The problem is to determine the set (or a particular subset) of all elements \(m\in M\) which satisfy this affine equation for semirings \(R\) and \(R\)-semimodules with different additional properties. Now, the first part of the book presents the necessary general theory of semirings including partially-ordered semirings, complete semirings, residuated semirings, matrix semirings and symmetric extensions of semirings. Then \(R\)-semimodules, \(R\)-homomorphisms and affine maps between \(R\)-semimodules and their properties are discussed in detail. The last two chapters concern questions of eigenelements of \(R\)-endomorphisms and of permanents and determinants of matrices over semirings. In every chapter the theory with complete proofs as well as illustrating examples can be found. A carefully written index of applications and an index of terminology help the reader to find the numerous concepts mentioned throughout the book. Also an extensive bibliography (490 titles) is included to show the wide range of applications of the developed concepts in many areas of mathematics, computer science, physics etc.