Details the basic theory of polynomial and fractional representation methods for algebraic analysis and synthesis of linear multivariable control systems. It also serves as a self-contained treatise of the mathematical theory so that results and techniques of the ``state space approaches'' for regular and singular systems appear as special cases of a general theory covering the wider class of PMDs of linear systems. Among the topics covered are: real rational vector spaces and rational matrices, pole and zero structure of rational matrices at infinity, proper and omega stable rational fuctions and matrices.