Davenport-Zannier Polynomials and Dessins d'Enfants

Dessins d'enfants is a method of pictorial representation of polynomials and rational functions, coined by Alexandre Grothendieck. It is accessible to undergraduate students and touches upon many different fields of mathematics, such as number theory, Galois theory, and group representations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 187 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2020
Publisher: American Mathematical Society

The French expression "dessins d'enfants" translates to "children's drawings." This term was coined by the renowned French mathematician Alexandre Grothendieck to designate a method of visual representation for certain fascinating classes of polynomials and rational functions. The polynomials explored in this book have their roots in number theory. The authors demonstrate how, by creating simple illustrations, one can prove longstanding conjectures and formulate new ones. The theory presented herein encompasses various branches of mathematics. The majority of the book is relatively straightforward and accessible to undergraduate students. The less elementary sections, such as Galois theory or group representations and their characters, require a deeper understanding of mathematics. The reader has the option of either assuming the fundamental facts of these theories or utilizing our book as a motivation and initial foray into these subjects.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 182 x 256 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781470456344