Computing in Algebraic Geometry

Wolfram Decker is professor of mathematics at the Universität des Saarlandes, Saarbrücken, Germany. His fields of interest are algebraic geometry and computer algebra. From 1996-2004, he was the responsible overall organizer of the schools and conferences of two European networks in algebraic geometry, EuroProj and EAGER. He himself gave courses in a number of international schools on computer algebra methods in algebraic geometry, with theoretical and practical sessions: Zürich (Switzerland, 1994), Cortona (Italy, 1995), Nordfjordeid (Norway, 1999), Roma (Italy, 2001), Villa Hermosa (Mexico, 2002), Allahabad (India, 2003), Torino (Italy, 2004). He has managed several successful projects in computer algebra, involving undergraduate and graduate students, thus making contributions to two major computer algebra systems for algebraic geometers, SINGULAR and MACAULAY II.

This book provides a quick access to computational tools for algebraic geometry, the mathematical discipline which handles solution sets of polynomial equations. Originating from a number of intense one week schools taught by the authors, the text is designed so as to provide a step by step introduction which enables the reader to get started with his own computational experiments right away. The authors present the basic concepts and ideas in a compact way.