An Introduction to Catastrophe Theory - Brossura

Saunders, Peter

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0521297826 ISBN 13: 9780521297820

Casa editrice: Cambridge University Press, 2010

Riassunto

Almost every scientist has heard of catastrophe theory and knows that there has been a considerable amount of controversy surrounding it. Yet comparatively few know anything more about it than they may have read in an article written for the general public. The aim of this book is to make it possible for anyone with a comparatively modest background in mathematics - no more than is usually included in a first year university course for students not specialising in the subject - to understand the theory well enough to follow the arguments in papers in which it is used and, if the occasion arises, to use it. Over half the book is devoted to applications, partly because it is not possible yet for the mathematician applying catastrophe theory to separate the analysis from the original problem. Most of these examples are drawn from the biological sciences, partly because they are more easily understandable and partly because they give a better illustration of the distinctive nature of catastrophe theory. This controversial and intriguing book will find applications as a text and guide to theoretical biologists, and scientists generally who wish to learn more of a novel theory.

Su questo libro

Descrizione del libro:

The aim of this book is to make it possible for anyone with a comparatively modest background in mathematics to understand the theory well enough to follow the arguments in papers in which it is used. This controversial and intriguing book will find applications as a text and guide to theoretical biologists, and scientists.

Contenuti:

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Background; 3. The seven elementary catastrophes; 4. The geometry of the seven elementary catastrophes; 5. Applications in physics; 6. Applications in the social sciences; 7. Applications in biology; 8. Morphogenesis; 9. Conclusions; Exercises; References; Author index; Subject index.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Cambridge University Press
• Data di pubblicazione: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0521297826
• ISBN 13: 9780521297820
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 160