The logarithmic Mahler measure of an n-variable Laurent polynomial, P(x1,...,xn) is defined by [expression]. Using experimental methods, David Boyd conjectured a large number of explicit relations between Mahler measures of polynomials and special values of different types of L-series. This thesis contains four papers which either prove or attempt to prove conjectures due to Boyd. The introductory chapter contains an overview of the contents of each manuscript.

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Considerable research has been done on measuring dependence between random variables. The correlation coefficient is the most widely studied linear measure of dependence. However, the limitation of linearity limits its application. The informational coefficient of correlation is defined in terms of mutual information. It also has some deficiencies, such as it is only normalized to continuous random variables. Based on the concept of the informational coefficient of correlation, a new dependence measure, which we call the L-measure, is proposed in this work which generalizes Linfoot's measure for both continuous and discrete random variables. To further elucidate its properties, simulated models are used, and estimation algorithms are also discussed. Furthermore, another measure based on the L-measure, which we call the intrinsic L-measure, is studied for the purpose of studying nonlinear dependence. Based on criteria for a dependence measure presented by Renyi and simulation results in this thesis, we believe that the L-measure is satisfactory as a dependence measure. / Thesis (Master, Mathematics & Statistics) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 14:29:35.153

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Let (GAMMA) be a discrete group of hyperbolic isometries having a fundamental polygon with finitely many sides and no cusps. We show that the associated horocycle flow admits just one ergodic measure which is not concentrated on a single orbit. We use ergodicity of this measure to calculate the ratio set of the Patterson measure of (GAMMA).

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The logarithmic Mahler measure of an n-variable Laurent polynomial, P(x1,...,xn) is defined by [expression]. Using experimental methods, David Boyd conjectured a large number of explicit relations between Mahler measures of polynomials and special values of different types of L-series. This thesis contains four papers which either prove or attempt to prove conjectures due to Boyd. The introductory chapter contains an overview of the contents of each manuscript.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Pure Mathematics, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-119).

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Dept. of Mathematical Physics, University of Adelaide, 1973.