Computational Synthetic Geometry

Computational Synthetic Geometry

Computational synthetic geometry deals with methods for realizing abstract geometric objects in concrete vector spaces. This research monograph considers a large class of problems from convexity and discrete geometry including constructing convex polytopes from simplicial complexes, vector geometries from incidence structures and hyperplane arrangements from oriented matroids. It turns out that algorithms for these constructions exist if and only if arbitrary polynomial equations are decidable with respect to the underlying field. Besides such complexity theorems a variety of symbolic algorithms are discussed, and the methods are applied to obtain new mathematical results on convex polytopes, projective configurations and the combinatorics of Grassmann varieties. Finally algebraic varieties characterizing matroids and oriented matroids are introduced providing a new basis for applying computer algebra methods in this field. The necessary background knowledge is reviewed briefly. The text is accessible to students with graduate level background in mathematics, and will serve professional geometers and computer scientists as an introduction and motivation for further research.

Computational Synthetic Geometry

Discrete and Computational Geometry

The first DIMACS special year, held during 1989-1990, was devoted to discrete and computational geometry. More than 200 scientists, both long- and short-term visitors, came to DIMACS to participate in the special year activities. Among the highlights were six workshops at Rutgers and Princeton Universities that defined the focus for much of the special year. The workshops addressed the following topics: geometric complexity, probabilistic methods in discrete and computational geometry, polytopes and convex sets, arrangements, and algebraic and practical issues in geometric computation. This volume presents some of the results growing out of the workshops and the special year activities. Containing both survey articles and research papers, this collection presents an excellent overview of significant recent progress in discrete and computational geometry. The diversity of these papers demonstrate how geometry continues to provide a vital source of ideas in theoretical computer science and discrete mathematics as well as fertile ground for interaction and simulation between the two disciplines.