New Solution of the Ising Problem for a Rectangular Lattice

Abstract
A new solution of the Ising problem for a rectangular lattice is derived from first principles. The solution, which is obtained algebraically, can be presented in a determinantal form different from though related to that found by Kac and Ward. By connecting the algebraic approach with the combinatorial solution, the latter is freed from dependence on topological conjectures. The new solution is considered to be fundamentally simpler than the others.