Summary

Contrary to general opinion, Artificial Intelligence research has often been carried out from a mathematical point of view, and frequently incorporates techniques of theoretical computer science. This book surveys various areas of Artificial Intelligence research, describing formal techniques. The areas chosen are most of those which have been - or can be - discussed with mathematical precision and clarity. The authors are all active researchers (in some cases international authorities) in their respective areas. The volume is much more than a collection of annotated bibliographies'. The papers survey the basic techniques of each field, giving information that will facilitate further reading. The areas covered are: equations and identities in algebras, mechanical theorem proving, logical induction, intelligent data bases, qualitative reasoning, program verification and synthesis, automatic heuristic development and neural networks.