Introduction to applied mathematics

Publication date 5 June 1993

complex variable theory discrete linear systems Fourier and Laplace transforms Fourier series ordinary differential equations orthogonal polynomials parabolic partial differential equations partial differential equations of second order

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General applied mathematics (00A69) Introductory exposition (textbooks, tutorial papers, etc.) pertaining to functions of a complex variable (30-01) Introductory exposition (textbooks, tutorial papers, etc.) pertaining to partial differential equations (35-01) Introductory exposition (textbooks, tutorial papers, etc.) pertaining to harmonic analysis on Euclidean spaces (42-01)

Review text

This is the first volume of the new Springer series ``Texts in Applied Mathematics, established to meet the resurgence of interest in the modern as well as classical techniques of Applied Mathematics, both in research and teaching. TAM textbooks are suitable for use in advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate courses, and will complement the Applied Mathematical Sciences series which will focus on advanced textbooks and research level monographs. The first three chapters of the recent book cover basic topics in complex variable theory including differentiation and integration. Further topics are Fourier series and their applications, orthogonal polynomials, Fourier and Laplace transforms, and partial differential equations of second order (derivation from conservation laws of physics, transition to the canonical forms, and study of typical examples, including some facts of potential theory). For the most part, the material contained here does not depart widely from traditional subject matter, but the selection and the presentation are by no means elementary. In this respect, e.g., it may be referred to the evaluation of real integrals by means of residue theory, the parallel treatment of discrete and continuous Fourier expansions, the detailed study of Gibbs' phenomenon, the explicit comparison of Tschebyscheff and Legendre expansions, the use of Fourier transforms to the solution of ordinary differential equations or of the Laplace transform (in time) to the solution of parabolic partial differential equations. Examples from diverse applications and exercises (also highly demanding) are added. The discussion of (infinite) discrete linear systems (in the fourth chapter) is a departure from the traditional contents. The treatment naturally leads to the use of discrete Fourier series and transforms, and their extension, the Z- transform with its application to difference equations, and to a discrete form of the Wiener-Hopf-method. A main advantage of the approach taken here is that a wide variety of techniques is seen to result from one or two very simple but central ideas. Further, an interesting example from the application in biological sciences is discussed. Above all, this textbook is intended as being one which gives the students a ``can-do frame of mind about mathematics, opposite to the impression ``that mathematics is a minefield and that unless one is very very careful disasters will befall them. As a whole, the mathematics contained here is respectable, and it is highly appreciated that the book may encourage the teaching of new courses of such pattern.

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