Combinatorial Group Theory

In mathematics, combinatorial group theory is the theory of free groups, and the concept of a presentation of a group by generators and relations. It is much used in geometric topology, the fundamental group of a simplicial complex having in a natural and geometric way such a presentation. A very closely related topic is geometric group theory, which today largely subsumes combinatorial group theory, using techniques from outside combinatorics besides.

It also comprises a number of algorithmically insoluble problems, most notably the word problem for groups; and the classical Burnside problem.

Read more about Combinatorial Group Theory:  History

Famous quotes containing the words group and/or theory:

    “The trouble with tea is that originally it was quite a good drink. So a group of the most eminent British scientists put their heads together, and made complicated biological experiments to find a way of spoiling it. To the eternal glory of British science their labour bore fruit.”
    —George Mikes (b. 1912)

    “Thus the theory of description matters most.
    It is the theory of the word for those
    For whom the word is the making of the world,
    The buzzing world and lisping firmament.”
    —Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)