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From Calculus to Chaos David Acheson (Fellow in Mathematics, Fellow in Mathematics, Jesus College, Oxford)

From Calculus to Chaos By David Acheson (Fellow in Mathematics, Fellow in Mathematics, Jesus College, Oxford)

Summary

What is calculus really for? It helps tell us how and why things change with time. This illustrated introduction to dynamics aims to inspire the interest and enthusiasm of students embarking on a course of mathematical study. It explains why the mathematics which students learn is useful, by exploring the central ideas of calculus and dynamics.

From Calculus to Chaos Summary

From Calculus to Chaos: An Introduction to Dynamics by David Acheson (Fellow in Mathematics, Fellow in Mathematics, Jesus College, Oxford)

What is calculus really for? This book is a highly readable introduction to applications of calculus, from Newton's time to the present day. These often involve questions of dynamics, i.e. of how - and why - things change with time. Problems of this kind lie at the heart of much of applied mathematics, physics, and engineering. From Calculus to Chaos takes a fresh approach to the subject as a whole, by moving from first steps to the frontiers, and by highlighting only the most important and interesting ideas, which can get lost amid a snowstorm of detail in conventional texts. The book is aimed at a wide readership, and assumes only some knowledge of elementary calculus. There are exercises (with full solutions) and simple but powerful computer programs which are suitable even for readers with no previous computing experience. David Acheson's book will inspire new students by providing a foretaste of more advanced mathematics and showing just how interesting the subject can be.

From Calculus to Chaos Reviews

The author has been really successful in combining very intuitive mathematics with very intuitive physics in a highly readable book.....this is a most advisable book for first year courses on applied calculus, dynamics or introductory physics (or for a part of such courses). It will be also very useful to science teachers in schools and to general readers interested in science who wish to use their home computers to keep up with an important aspect of physical science. * Institute of Physics *
Using carefully selected examples, from the time of Newton to the present day the author demonstrates in a highly readable form what we usually call the mathematization of physical problems. * European Mathematical Society Newsletter, issue 27, March 1998 *
The project as a whole succeeds well, and the book deserves to be on the shelves of people ranging from school science teachers to undergraduates in mathematics and physics....The last chapter deals with stability of inverted pendulums, and gives an excellent rounded account of how the theory, experiments, and simulations interact to explain this fascinating effect...The material presented here is a fascinating and unpretentious sweep through the subject, and it would make an ideal course text at undergraduate level, or an individual study book for well-motivated 'A' level readers...The aim of giving the reader insight into a wide array of dynamical problems using very elementary mathematics is achieved well, and the excellent selection of examples and historical asides adds depth to the topics covered.
I enjoyed reading this book and learned quite a lot from it. I recommend it to anyone who - like myself - knows calculus better than chaos, and would like to begin rectifying the situation as painlessly as possible

About David Acheson (Fellow in Mathematics, Fellow in Mathematics, Jesus College, Oxford)

Dr D.J. Acheson Jesus College Oxford OX1 3DW Tel: 01865 279700 Fax: 01865 279687 Email: [email protected]

Table of Contents

Introduction ; A brief review of calculus ; Ordinary differential equations ; Computer solution methods ; Elementary oscillations ; Planetary motion ; Waves and diffusion ; The best of all possible worlds? ; Fluid flow ; Instability and catastrophe ; Nonlinear oscillations and chaos ; The not-so-simple pendulum ; Further reading ; Appendix A: Elementary programming in QBASIC ; Appendix B: Ten programs for exploring dynamics ; Solutions to the exercises ; Index

Additional information

GOR004197959
9780198500773
0198500777
From Calculus to Chaos: An Introduction to Dynamics by David Acheson (Fellow in Mathematics, Fellow in Mathematics, Jesus College, Oxford)
Used - Very Good
Paperback
Oxford University Press
19970828
280
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - From Calculus to Chaos