Calculus of Variations
By I. M. Gelfand, S. V. Fomin
* Publisher: Dover Publications
* Number Of Pages: 240
* Publication Date: 2000-10-16
* ISBN-10 / ASIN: 0486414485
* ISBN-13 / EAN: 9780486414485
Product Description:
First six chapters include theory of fields and sufficient conditions for weak and strong extrema. Chapter 7 considers application of variation methods to systems with infinite degrees of freedom, and Chapter 8 deals with direct methods in the calculus of variations. Problems follow each chapter and the two appendices. Fresh, lively text is ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in math and physics.
Summary: Quite clear, straight-forward explanations
Rating: 5
I like this book, certainly what I have read of it. I'm now digging around near page 75, and it struck me that for the first time I really "get it" - In particular, this was about the use of the Legendre transform. The authors start with a very gentle introduction of it, and then, while things become more abstract, the text never jumps too far and never leaves the reader too much in puzzling. It's ought to be studied though, and it's not "easy".
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