This book brings together all the most important known results of research into the theory of algebraic multiplicities, from well-known classics like the Jordan Theorem to recent developments such as the uniqueness theorem and the construction of multiplicity for non-analytic families, which is presented in this monograph for the first time.

Part I (the first three chapters) is a classic course on finite-dimensional spectral theory; Part II (the next eight chapters) contains the most general results available about the existence and uniqueness of algebraic multiplicities for real non-analytic operator matrices and families; and Part III (the last chapter) transfers these results from linear to nonlinear analysis.

The text is as self-contained as possible. All the results are established in a finite-dimensional setting, if necessary. Furthermore, the structure and style of the book make it easy to access some of the most important and recent developments. Thus the material appeals to a broad audience, ranging from advanced undergraduates (in particular Part I) to graduates, postgraduates and reseachers who will enjoy the latest developments in the real non-analytic case (Part II).

Zusammenfassung
This book analyzes the existence and uniqueness of a generalized algebraic m- tiplicity for a general one-parameter family L of bounded linear operators with Fredholm index zero at a value of the parameter ? whereL(? ) is non-invertible. 0 0 Precisely, given K?{R,C}, two Banach spaces U and V over K, an open subset ? ? K,andapoint ? ? ?, our admissible operator families are the maps 0 r L?C (? ,L(U,V)) (1) for some r? N, such that L(? )? Fred (U,V); 0 0 hereL(U,V) stands for the space of linear continuous operatorsfrom U to V,and Fred (U,V) is its subset consisting of all Fredholm operators of index zero. From 0 the point of view of its novelty, the main achievements of this book are reached in case K = R, since in the case K = C and r = 1, most of its contents are classic, except for the axiomatization theorem of the multiplicity.

Inhalt
Finite-dimensional Classic Spectral Theory.- The Jordan Theorem.- Operator Calculus.- Spectral Projections.- Algebraic Multiplicities.- Algebraic Multiplicity Through Transversalization.- Algebraic Multiplicity Through Polynomial Factorization.- Uniqueness of the Algebraic Multiplicity.- Algebraic Multiplicity Through Jordan Chains. Smith Form.- Analytic and Classical Families. Stability.- Algebraic Multiplicity Through Logarithmic Residues.- The Spectral Theorem for Matrix Polynomials.- Further Developments of the Algebraic Multiplicity.- Nonlinear Spectral Theory.- Nonlinear Eigenvalues.