The n-dimensional representations, over an algebraically closed characteristic zero field k, of a finitely generated group are parameterized by an affine algebraic variety over k. The tangent spaces of this variety are subspaces of spaces of one-cocycles and thus the geometry of the variety is locally related to the cohomology of the group. The cohomology is also related to the prounipotent radical of the proalgebraic hull of the group. This paper exploits these two relations to compute dimensions of representation varieties, especially for nilpotent groups and their generalizations. It also presents the foundations of the theory of representation varieties in an expository, self-contained manner.

This book is essentially self-contained and requires only a basic abstract algebra course as background. The book includes and extends much of the classical theory of SL(2) representations of groups. Readers will find SL(2) Representations of Finitely Presented Groups relevant to geometric theory of three dimensional manifolds, representations of infinite groups, and invariant theory. Features...... * A new finitely computable invariant H[*p] associated to groups and used to study the SL(2) representations of *p * Invariant theory and knot theory related through SL(2) representations of knot groups.

This graduate-level text provides a thorough grounding in the representation theory of finite groups over fields and rings. The book provides a balanced and comprehensive account of the subject, detailing the methods needed to analyze representations that arise in many areas of mathematics. Key topics include the construction and use of character tables, the role of induction and restriction, projective and simple modules for group algebras, indecomposable representations, Brauer characters, and block theory. This classroom-tested text provides motivation through a large number of worked examples, with exercises at the end of each chapter that test the reader's knowledge, provide further examples and practice, and include results not proven in the text. Prerequisites include a graduate course in abstract algebra, and familiarity with the properties of groups, rings, field extensions, and linear algebra.

This book is an introduction to semisimple Lie algebras. It is concise and informal, with numerous exercises and examples.

Very roughly speaking, representation theory studies symmetry in linear spaces. It is a beautiful mathematical subject which has many applications, ranging from number theory and combinatorics to geometry, probability theory, quantum mechanics, and quantum field theory. The goal of this book is to give a ``holistic'' introduction to representation theory, presenting it as a unified subject which studies representations of associative algebras and treating the representation theories of groups, Lie algebras, and quivers as special cases. Using this approach, the book covers a number of standard topics in the representation theories of these structures. Theoretical material in the book is supplemented by many problems and exercises which touch upon a lot of additional topics; the more difficult exercises are provided with hints. The book is designed as a textbook for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students. It should be accessible to students with a strong background in linear algebra and a basic knowledge of abstract algebra.

This proceedings is a collection of articles on Topology and Teichmüller Spaces. Special emphasis is being put on the universal Teichmüller space, the topology of moduli of algebraic curves, the space of representations of discrete groups, Kleinian groups and Dehn filling deformations, the geometry of Riemann surfaces, and some related topics.

The aim of this text is to present some of the key results in the representation theory of finite groups. In order to keep the account reasonably elementary, so that it can be used for graduate-level courses, Professor Alperin has concentrated on local representation theory, emphasising module theory throughout. In this way many deep results can be obtained rather quickly. After two introductory chapters, the basic results of Green are proved, which in turn lead in due course to Brauer's First Main Theorem. A proof of the module form of Brauer's Second Main Theorem is then presented, followed by a discussion of Feit's work connecting maps and the Green correspondence. The work concludes with a treatment, new in part, of the Brauer-Dade theory. As a text, this book contains ample material for a one semester course. Exercises are provided at the end of most sections; the results of some are used later in the text. Representation theory is applied in number theory, combinatorics and in many areas of algebra. This book will serve as an excellent introduction to those interested in the subject itself or its applications.