This volume of the Encyclopaedia contains two contributions on closely related subjects: the theory of linear algebraic groups and invariant theory. The first part is written by T.A. Springer, a well-known expert in the first mentioned field. He presents a comprehensive survey, which contains numerous sketched proofs and he discusses the particular features of algebraic groups over special fields (finite, local, and global). The authors of part two, E.B. Vinberg and V.L. Popov, are among the most active researchers in invariant theory. The last 20 years have been a period of vigorous development in this field due to the influence of modern methods from algebraic geometry. The book will be very useful as a reference and research guide to graduate students and researchers in mathematics and theoretical physics.

Contributions by: V.L. Popov, T.A. Springer, E.B. Vinberg