Book Summary: The Rogers--Ramanujan identities are a pair of infinite series—infinite product identities that were first discovered in 1894. Over the past several decades these identities, and identities of similar type, have found applications in number theory, combinatorics, Lie algebra and vertex operator algebra theory, physics (especially statistical mechanics), and computer science (especially algorithmic proof theory). Presented in a coherant and clear way, this will be the first book entirely devoted to the Rogers—Ramanujan identities and will include related historical material that is unavailable elsewhere.

Features:

• The first book entirely devoted to the Rogers—Ramanujan identities.
• Prerequisites kept to a minimum, although a certain level of mathematical sophistication will be required.
• Material is presented in a generally historical order, but author does not hesitate to (anachronistically) bring in modern tools as necessary when doing so will greatly simplify the presentation.
• Previously unpublished primary source historical material will be included as appropriate.