Matroids A Geometric Introduction [Paperback]

This friendly introduction helps undergraduate students understand and appreciate matroid theory and its connections to geometry.Matroids provides a unified way to understand graph theory, linear algebra and combinatorics via finite geometry. This informal text provides a comprehensive introduction to matroid theory that emphasizes its connections to geometry and is suitable for undergraduates. It includes over 300 exercises, examples and projects suitable for independent study.Matroids provides a unified way to understand graph theory, linear algebra and combinatorics via finite geometry. This informal text provides a comprehensive introduction to matroid theory that emphasizes its connections to geometry and is suitable for undergraduates. It includes over 300 exercises, examples and projects suitable for independent study.Matroid theory is a vibrant area of research that provides a unified way to understand graph theory, linear algebra and combinatorics via finite geometry. This book provides the first comprehensive introduction to the field which will appeal to undergraduate students and to any mathematician interested in the geometric approach to matroids. Written in a friendly, fun-to-read style and developed from the authors' own undergraduate courses, the book is ideal for students. Beginning with a basic introduction to matroids, the book quickly familiarizes the reader with the breadth of the subject, and specific examples are used to illustrate the theory and to help students see matroids as more than just generalizations of graphs. Over 300 exercises are included, with many hints and solutions so students can test their understanding of the materials covered. The authors have also included several projects and open-ended research problems for independent study.1. A tour of matroids; 2. Cryptomorphisms; 3. New matroids from old; 4. Graphic matroids; 5. Finite geometry; 6. Representable matroids; 7. Other matroids; 8. Matroid minors; 9. The Tutte polynomialsŒ