Geometry of Minkowski space-time (Q531750)

From the Preface: ``We have written this book with the intention of providing the students (and the teachers) of the first years of university courses with a tool which is easy to be applied and allows the solution of any problem of relativistic kinematics at the same time. The novelty of our presentation consists of the extensive use of hyperbolic numbers for a complete formalization of the kinematics in the Minkowski space-time. In other words, in this book the mathematical relation, stated by special relativity, between space and time is formalized''. Apart from an introduction the book has six chapters: hyperbolic numbers, geometrical representation of hyperbolic numbers, trigonometry in the hyperbolic (Minkowski) plane, equilateral hyperbolas and triangles in the hyperbolic plane, the motions in Minkowski space-time (Twin Paradox) and some final considerations. Each part contains references. There is also an appendix entitled ``The present-day meaning of geometry''. Finally let us mention an earlier book of the authors and \textit{E. Nichelatti} [The mathematics of Minkowski space-time. With an introduction to commutative hypercomplex numbers. Frontiers in Mathematics. Basel: Birkhäuser (2008; Zbl 1151.53001)].