Boolean Models and Methods in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Engineering (Encyclopedia of Mathematics and its Applications, Series Number 134)

This collection of papers presents a series of in-depth examinations of a variety of advanced topics related to Boolean functions and expressions. The chapters are written by some of the most prominent experts in their respective fields and cover topics ranging from algebra and propositional logic to learning theory, cryptography, computational complexity, electrical engineering, and reliability theory. Beyond the diversity of the questions raised and investigated in different chapters, a remarkable feature of the collection is the common thread created by the fundamental language, concepts, models, and tools provided by Boolean theory. Many readers will be surprised to discover the countless links between seemingly remote topics discussed in various chapters of the book. This text will help them draw on such connections to further their understanding of their own scientific discipline and to explore new avenues for research.

Dr Yves Crama is Professor of Operations Research and Production Management and the former Director General of the HEC Management School of the University of Liège, Belgium. He is widely recognized as a prominent expert in the field of Boolean functions, combinatorial optimization, and operations research, and he has coauthored more than 70 papers on these subjects. Dr Crama is a member of the Editorial Board of Discrete Optimization, Journal of Scheduling, and 4OR – The Quarterly Journal of the Belgian, French and Italian Operations Research Societies.

The late Peter L. Hammer (1936–2006) was a Professor of Operations Research, Mathematics, Computer Science, Management Science, and Information Systems at Rutgers University and the Director of the Rutgers University Center for Operations Research (RUTCOR). He was the founder and editor-in-chief of the journals Annals of Operations Research, Discrete Mathematics, Discrete Applied Mathematics, Discrete Optimization, and Electronic Notes in Discrete Mathematics. Dr Hammer was the initiator of numerous pioneering investigations of the use of Boolean functions in operations research and related areas, of the theory of pseudo-Boolean functions, and of the logical analysis of data. He has published more than 240 papers and 19 books on these topics.