Algebraic graph theory offers a captivating journey into the unexpected connections between two fundamental branches of mathematics: algebra and graph theory. This essential text reveals how algebraic tools, such as eigenvalue techniques and permutation groups, can provide elegant solutions to complex graph-theoretical problems, while simultaneously demonstrating how algebraic tasks can be simplified through graph analysis.
The authors present an inclusive and self-contained treatment of the field, moving from classical results to contemporary research. Readers will explore topics including vertex-transitive graphs, the adjacency and Laplacian matrices, graph homomorphisms, and the study of distance-regular graphs. With a strong emphasis on mastering concrete examples—ranging from the Petersen graph to fullerenes and knot theory—the book bridges the gap between foundational theory and modern applications. Perfectly suited for graduate students and researchers in combinatorics or discrete mathematics, this work remains accessible to motivated undergraduates with a basic background in linear algebra. It is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to master the beautiful and powerful interplay between structure and symmetry.
Used (good, see images, some cover wear and some cover markings) Softcover ISBN 0387952209
