2019-2020 Academic Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

MATH 1330 - Calculus of Variations


Calculus of variations is the cornerstone that much of modern physics is based on. It is used to solve problems in many areas of modern mathematics as well as in modern physics. Knowledge of its use and various applications is important for majors in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, economics, and environmental science and policy. In addition to the numerous applications provided by the subject, it also has a rich and fabled history, and is the source of brilliantly original solutions to various problems that at one point, seemed intractable, e.g., the Brachistochrone or \shortest time” problem, the problem of finding the maximum area given a fixed perimeter (Dido’s Problem), etc. It also offers brilliantly simple derivations and explanations of various observed physical phenomena such as Fermat’s principle, Snell’s Law, various physical partial differential equations, etc.

 

Prerequisites: MATH 1200 - Calculus I  & MATH 1210 - NUMBER CHANGED TO 2200  

Anticipated Terms Offered: varied