An especially timely work, the book is an introduction to the theory of p-adic L-functions originated by Kubota and Leopoldt in 1964 as p-adic analogues of the classical L-functions of Dirichlet. Professor Iwasawa reviews the classical results on Dirichlet's L-functions and sketches a proof for some of them. Next he defines generalized Bernoulli numbers and discusses some of their fundamental properties. Continuing, he defines p-adic L-functions, proves their existence and uniqueness, and treats p-adic logarithms and p-adic regulators. He proves a formula of Leopoldt for the values of p-adic L-functions at s=1. The formula was announced in 1964, but a proof has never before been published. Finally, he discusses some applications, especially the strong relationship with cyclotomic fields.

An especially timely work, the book is an introduction to the theory of p-adic L-functions originated by Kubota and Leopoldt in 1964 as p-adic analogues of the classical L-functions of Dirichlet. Professor Iwasawa reviews the classical results on Dirichlet's L-functions and sketches a proof for some of them. Next he defines generalized Bernoulli numbers and discusses some of their fundamental properties. Continuing, he defines p-adic L-functions, proves their existence and uniqueness, and treats p-adic logarithms and p-adic regulators. He proves a formula of Leopoldt for the values of p-adic L-functions at s=1. The formula was announced in 1964, but a proof has never before been published. Finally, he discusses some applications, especially the strong relationship with cyclotomic fields.

The present work treats p-adic properties of solutions of the hypergeometric differential equation d2 d ~ ( x(l - x) dx + (c(l - x) + (c - 1 - a - b)x) dx - ab)y = 0, 2 with a, b, c in 4) n Zp, by constructing the associated Frobenius structure. For this construction we draw upon the methods of Alan Adolphson [1] in his 1976 work on Hecke polynomials. We are also indebted to him for the account (appearing as an appendix) of the relation between this differential equation and certain L-functions. We are indebted to G. Washnitzer for the method used in the construction of our dual theory (Chapter 2). These notes represent an expanded form of lectures given at the U. L. P. in Strasbourg during the fall term of 1980. We take this opportunity to thank Professor R. Girard and IRMA for their hospitality. Our subject-p-adic analysis-was founded by Marc Krasner. We take pleasure in dedicating this work to him. Contents 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . 1. The Space L (Algebraic Theory) 8 2. Dual Theory (Algebraic) 14 3. Transcendental Theory . . . . 33 4. Analytic Dual Theory. . . . . 48 5. Basic Properties of", Operator. 73 6. Calculation Modulo p of the Matrix of ~ f,h 92 7. Hasse Invariants . . . . . . 108 8. The a --+ a' Map . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 9. Normalized Solution Matrix. . . . . .. 113 10. Nilpotent Second-Order Linear Differential Equations with Fuchsian Singularities. . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 11. Second-Order Linear Differential Equations Modulo Powers ofp ..... .

There are numbers of all kinds: rational, real, complex, p-adic. The p-adic numbers are less well known than the others, but they play a fundamental role in number theory and in other parts of mathematics. This elementary introduction offers a broad understanding of p-adic numbers. From the reviews: "It is perhaps the most suitable text for beginners, and I shall definitely recommend it to anyone who asks me what a p-adic number is." --THE MATHEMATICAL GAZETTE

'Motives' were introduced in the mid-1960s by Grothendieck to explain the analogies among the various cohomology theories for algebraic varieties, and to play the role of the missing rational cohomology. This work contains the texts of the lectures presented at the AMS-IMS-SIAM Joint Summer Research Conference on Motives, held in Seattle, in 1991.

This book, in honor of Hari M. Srivastava, discusses essential developments in mathematical research in a variety of problems. It contains thirty-five articles, written by eminent scientists from the international mathematical community, including both research and survey works. Subjects covered include analytic number theory, combinatorics, special sequences of numbers and polynomials, analytic inequalities and applications, approximation of functions and quadratures, orthogonality and special and complex functions. The mathematical results and open problems discussed in this book are presented in a simple and self-contained manner. The book contains an overview of old and new results, methods, and theories toward the solution of longstanding problems in a wide scientific field, as well as new results in rapidly progressing areas of research. The book will be useful for researchers and graduate students in the fields of mathematics, physics and other computational and applied sciences.

Lecture I The Early History of Fermat's Last Theorem.- 1 The Problem.- 2 Early Attempts.- 3 Kummer's Monumental Theorem.- 4 Regular Primes.- 5 Kummer's Work on Irregular Prime Exponents.- 6 Other Relevant Results.- 7 The Golden Medal and the Wolfskehl Prize.- Lecture II Recent Results.- 1 Stating the Results.- 2 Explanations.- Lecture III B.K. = Before Kummer.- 1 The Pythagorean Equation.- 2 The Biquadratic Equation.- 3 The Cubic Equation.- 4 The Quintic Equation.- 5 Fermat's Equation of Degree Seven.- Lecture IV The Naïve Approach.- 1 The Relations of Barlow and Abel.- 2 Sophie Germain.- 3 Co.