The Classical Fields
Structural Features of the Real and Rational Numbers

The classical fields are the real, rational, complex and p-adic numbers. Each of these fields comprises several intimately interwoven algebraical and topological structures. This comprehensive volume analyzes the interaction and interdependencies of these different aspects. The real and rational numbers are examined additionally with respect to their orderings, and these fields are compared to their non-standard counterparts. Typical substructures and quotients, relevant automorphism groups and many counterexamples are described. Also discussed are completion procedures of chains and of ordered and topological groups, with applications to classical fields. The p-adic numbers are placed in the context of general topological fields: absolute values, valuations and the corresponding topologies are studied, and the classification of all locally compact fields and skew fields is presented. Exercises are provided with hints and solutions at the end of the book. An appendix reviews ordinals and cardinals, duality theory of locally compact Abelian groups and various constructions of fields.

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"Each of these fields comprise several closely interwoven algebraic and topological structures. Salzmann (mathematics, U. Tubingen) and his fellow authors Grundhofer (mathematics, U. Wurzburg>, Hahl (mathematics, U. Stuttgart) and Lowen (mathematics, Technische U. Braunchwieg) explain the interaction and interdependencies of these fields. They begin with real numbers, describing real numbers as an ordered set and explaining the concept of real numbers as a field and as an ordered group and a topological group. They explain complex numbers and rational numbers, expanding on the latter as a field and describing rational numbers as a field, then work through the concept of completion, as chains, ordered groups, topological abelian groups, and topological rings and fields. They conclude by explaining the field of p-adic numbers, their squares, absolute values and valuations, the topologies of valuation type, local fields and locally compact fields. They provide exercises with hints and solutions." -- Book News

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Product details

• Date Published: September 2007
• format: Hardback
• isbn: 9780521865166
• length: 418 pages

• dimensions: 242 x 164 x 25 mm
• weight: 0.754kg
• contains: 205 exercises
• availability: In stock