A categorization of piecewise-linear surfaces

Any Piecewise-Linear (PL) surface can be formed from a regular polygon (including the interior) with an even number of edges, where the edges are identified in pairs to form a two-dimensional manifold. The resulting surfaces can be distinguished by algebraic means. An analysis of the construction algorithm can also be used to determine the resulting surface. Knowledge of the polygon used can also yield information about the surfaces formed.In this thesis, an algorithm is developed that will analyze all possible edge pairings for an arbitrary regular polygon. The combination of this data, along with known techniques from geometric topology, will categorize the constructions of these PL surfaces. A procedure using matrices is developed that will determine the Euler number and establish which algebraic words are equivalent.This topic extends to two-dimensional manifolds a classical method of analysis for three-dimensional manifolds. It therefore provides a more geometrical approach than has traditionally been used for two dimensional surfaces.Department of Mathematical SciencesThesis (M.S.