Skip to main content
  • Textbook
  • © 2020

Notes on Geometry and Arithmetic

Authors:

  • Offers readers a ‘hands on’ introduction to Diophantine geometry
  • Progresses from introductory to advanced topics using the language of classical geometry
  • Assumes only modest prerequisites in abstract algebra and number theory
  • Contains numerous exercises throughout

Part of the book series: Universitext (UTX)

  • 15k Accesses

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check for access.

Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xii
  2. Diophantus of Alexandria

    • Daniel Coray
    Pages 1-9
  3. Algebraic Closure; Affine Space

    • Daniel Coray
    Pages 11-22
  4. Rational Points; Finite Fields

    • Daniel Coray
    Pages 23-39
  5. The Nullstellensatz

    • Daniel Coray
    Pages 53-69
  6. Euclidean Rings

    • Daniel Coray
    Pages 71-80
  7. Cubic Surfaces

    • Daniel Coray
    Pages 81-105
  8. p-Adic Completions

    • Daniel Coray
    Pages 107-120
  9. The Hasse Principle

    • Daniel Coray
    Pages 121-140
  10. Diophantine Dimension of Fields

    • Daniel Coray
    Pages 141-157
  11. Back Matter

    Pages 159-181

About this book

This English translation of Daniel Coray’s original French textbook Notes de géométrie et d’arithmétique introduces students to Diophantine geometry. It engages the reader with concrete and interesting problems using the language of classical geometry, setting aside all but the most essential ideas from algebraic geometry and commutative algebra. Readers are invited to discover rational points on varieties through an appealing ‘hands on’ approach that offers a pathway toward active research in arithmetic geometry. Along the way, the reader encounters the state of the art on solving certain classes of polynomial equations with beautiful geometric realizations, and travels a unique ascent towards variations on the Hasse Principle.

Highlighting the importance of Diophantus of Alexandria as a precursor to the study of arithmetic over the rational numbers, this textbook introduces basic notions with an emphasis on Hilbert’s Nullstellensatz over an arbitrary field. A digression on Euclidian rings is followed by a thorough study of the arithmetic theory of cubic surfaces. Subsequent chapters are devoted to p-adic fields, the Hasse principle, and the subtle notion of Diophantine dimension of fields. All chapters contain exercises, with hints or complete solutions.

Notes on Geometry and Arithmetic will appeal to a wide readership, ranging from graduate students through to researchers. Assuming only a basic background in abstract algebra and number theory, the text uses Diophantine questions to motivate readers seeking an accessible pathway into arithmetic geometry.


Authors and Affiliations

  • L’Enseignement Mathématique, Université de Genève, Genève, Switzerland

    Daniel Coray

About the author

Daniel François Coray (1947-2015) was Professor of Mathematics at the University of Geneva. His research interests spanned algebraic number theory, arithmetic of algebraic varieties, enumerative geometry, theoretical applications of computer methods and mathematical modeling of spatial concepts. His achievements in research were matched by his passion for teaching throughout his career. Daniel Coray passed away unexpectedly in June 2015 in Geneva only two months after he had completed the French version of this book manuscript.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Notes on Geometry and Arithmetic

  • Authors: Daniel Coray

  • Translated by: Constantin Manoil, John Steinig

  • Series Title: Universitext

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43781-7

  • Publisher: Springer Cham

  • eBook Packages: Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematics and Statistics (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-43780-0Published: 07 July 2020

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-43781-7Published: 06 July 2020

  • Series ISSN: 0172-5939

  • Series E-ISSN: 2191-6675

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XII, 181

  • Number of Illustrations: 118 b/w illustrations, 3 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Algebraic Geometry

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access