Polynomials and the mod 2 Steenrod Algebra: Volume 1, The Peterson Hit Problem

This is the first book to link the mod 2 Steenrod algebra, a classical object of study in algebraic topology, with modular representations of matrix groups over the field F of two elements. The link is provided through a detailed study of Peterson''s ''hit problem'' concerning the action of the Steenrod algebra on polynomials, which remains unsolved except in special cases. The topics range from d...