Volume 2 of two - also available in a set of both volumes.

Volume 1 of two - also available in a two volume set.

This volume outlines the proceedings of the conference on "Quadratic Forms and Their Applications" held at University College Dublin. It includes survey articles and research papers ranging from applications in topology and geometry to the algebraic theory of quadratic forms and its history. Various aspects of the use of quadratic forms in algebra, analysis, topology, geometry, and number theory are addressed. Special features include the first published proof of the Conway-Schneeberger Fifteen Theorem on integer-valued quadratic forms and the first English-language biography of Ernst Witt, founder of the theory of quadratic forms.

Giving an easily accessible elementary introduction to the algebraic theory of quadratic forms, this book covers both Witt's theory and Pfister's theory of quadratic forms. Leading topics include the geometry of bilinear spaces, classification of bilinear spaces up to isometry depending on the ground field, formally real fields, Pfister forms, the Witt ring of an arbitrary field (characteristic two included), prime ideals of the Witt ring, Brauer group of a field, Hasse and Witt invariants of quadratic forms, and equivalence of fields with respect to quadratic forms. Problem sections are included at the end of each chapter. There are two appendices: the first gives a treatment of Hasse and Witt invariants in the language of Steinberg symbols, and the second contains some more advanced problems in 10 groups, including the u-invariant, reduced and stable Witt rings, and Witt equivalence of fields.

Developments in Mathematics is a book series devoted to all areas of mathematics, pure and applied. The series emphasizes research monographs describing the latest advances. Edited volumes that focus on areas that have seen dramatic progress, or are of special interest, are encouraged as well.