A short course on functional equations. Based upon recent applications to the social and behavioral sciences (Q1085350): Difference between revisions

From author's introduction: ''My aim was to introduce the most important equations and methods of solution through actual (not artificial) applications which were recent and with which I had something to do. Most of them happened to be related to the social or behavioral sciences.'' It is a mission well accomplished. The functional equations center around the Cauchy equation and its close cousin, the Pexider equation. The last section (eighth) of the book is devoted to the Abel and Schröder equations, which are functional equations in a single variable. A clear departure from his book [Lectures on functional equations and their applications (1966; Zbl 0139.093)], not much emphasis is placed on the global theory. Instead, attention is guided to the restricted domains of the equations. These restrictions come naturally from the applications. The book begins with extension theorems, bridging the local and the global aspects of the equations. Honest to the humble title ''A short course...'' this is an excellent book suitable for use as a text book at the undergraduate level.