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Non-Euclidean Geometries : János Bolyai Memorial Volume
Some of the papers present new discoveries about the life and works of János Bolyai and the history of non-Euclidean geometry, others deal with geometrical axiomatics; polyhedra; fractals; hyperbolic, Riemannian and discrete geometry; tilings; visualization; and applications in physics. This book is intended for those who teach, study, and do research in geometry and history of mathematics. Cultural historians, physicists, and computer scientists will also find it an important source of information.
Introduction to Classical Geometries
This book follows Felix Klein’s proposal of studying geometry by looking at the symmetries (or rigid motions) of the space in question. In this way the classical geometries are studied: Euclidean, affine, elliptic, projective and hyperbolic. For simplicity the focus is on the two-dimensional case, which is already rich enough, though some aspects of the 3- or n-dimensional geometries are included. Once plane geometry is well understood, it is much easier to go into higher dimensions.
Geometric Problems on Maxima and Minima
Questions of maxima and minima have great practical significance, with applications to physics, engineering, and economics; they have also given rise to theoretical advances, notably in calculus and optimization. Indeed, while most texts view the study of extrema within the context of calculus, this carefully constructed problem book takes a uniquely intuitive approach to the subject: it presents hundreds of extreme-value problems, examples, and solutions primarily through Euclidean geometry.
Linear Differential Equations and Group Theory from Riemann to Poincaré
A study of how a particular vision of the unity of mathematics, often called geometric function theory, was created in the 19th century. The central focus is on the convergence of three mathematical topics: the hypergeometric and related linear differential equations, group theory, and on-Euclidean geometry. The text for this second edition has been greatly expanded and revised, and the existing appendices enriched with historical accounts of the Riemann–Hilbert problem, the uniformization theorem, Picard–Vessiot theory, and the hypergeometric equation in higher dimensions. The exercises have been retained, making it possible to use the book as a companion to mathematics courses at the graduate level.
Complex Nonlinearity : Chaos, Phase Transitions, Topology Change and Path Integrals
The book starts with a textbook-like expose on nonlinear dynamics, attractors and chaos, both temporal and spatio-temporal, including modern techniques of chaos–control. Chapter 2 turns to the edge of chaos, in the form of phase transitions (equilibrium and non-equilibrium, oscillatory, fractal and noise-induced), as well as the related field of synergetics. While the natural stage for linear dynamics comprises of flat, Euclidean geometry (with the corresponding calculation tools from linear algebra and analysis), the natural stage for nonlinear dynamics is curved, Riemannian geometry (with the corresponding tools from nonlinear, tensor algebra and analysis). The extreme nonlinearity – chaos – corresponds to the topology change of this curved geometrical stage, usually called configuration manifold. Chapter 3 elaborates on geometry and topology change in relation with complex nonlinearity and chaos. Chapter 4 develops general nonlinear dynamics, continuous and discrete, deterministic and stochastic, in the unique form of path integrals and their action-amplitude formalism.
