Document Type
Editorial
Publication Date
1-1-2013
Abstract
The Special Issue of Advances in Applied Mathematics aims to recognize and celebrate Geoff Whittle's mathematical contributions. In 1974 and 1975, Geoff taught mathematics and science at a high school in Launceston before returning to the University of Tasmania to complete his Honors degree in Philosophy and Mathematics in 1976. In 1982, Geoff returned to the University of Tasmania and, while working as a Tutor in Mathematics, completed his PhD in matroid theory in 1984 with a thesis entitled 'Some Aspects of the Critical Problem for Matroids'. The term matroid was first used by Hassler Whitney in 1935. In introducing matroids, Whitney attempted to capture the fundamental commonalities of independence in graph theory and linear algebra. A matroid consists of a finite set and a collection of its subsets, called independent sets, which must satisfy three easily stated axioms. A matroid consists of a finite set and a collection of its subsets, called independent sets, which must satisfy three easily stated axioms.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Advances in Applied Mathematics
First Page
1
Last Page
5
Recommended Citation
Mayhew, D., Oxley, J., & Semple, C. (2013). Special issue in honor of Geoff Whittle. Advances in Applied Mathematics, 50 (1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aam.2012.08.006