An introduction to the mathematical theory of waves
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
An introduction to the mathematical theory of waves
（Student mathematical library, v. 3 . IAS/Park City mathematical subseries）
American Mathematical Society , Institute for Advanced Study, c2000
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Note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
This book is based on an undergraduate course taught at the IAS/Park City Mathematics Institute (Utah) on linear and nonlinear waves. The first part of the text overviews the concept of a wave, describes one-dimensional waves using functions of two variables, provides an introduction to partial differential equations, and discusses computer-aided visualization techniques. The second part of the book discusses traveling waves, leading to a description of solitary waves and soliton solutions of the Klein-Gordon and Korteweg-deVries equations. The wave equation is derived to model the small vibrations of a taut string, and solutions are constructed via d'Alembert's formula and Fourier series.The last part of the book discusses waves arising from conservation laws. After deriving and discussing the scalar conservation law, its solution is described using the method of characteristics, leading to the formation of shock and rarefaction waves. Applications of these concepts are then given for models of traffic flow. The intent of this book is to create a text suitable for independent study by undergraduate students in mathematics, engineering, and science. The content of the book is meant to be self-contained, requiring no special reference material. Access to computer software such as MathematicaR, MATLABR, or MapleR is recommended, but not necessary. Scripts for MATLAB applications will be available via the Web. Exercises are given within the text to allow further practice with selected topics.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Introduction to waves A mathematical representation of waves Partial differential equation Traveling and standing waves: Traveling waves The Korteweg-de Vries equation The Sine-Gordon equation The wave equation D'Alembert's solution of the wave equation Vibrations of a semi-infinite string Characteristic lines of the wave equation Standing wave solutions of the wave equation Standing waves of a nonhomogeneous string Superposition of standing waves Fourier series and the wave equation Waves in conservation laws: Conservation laws Examples of conservation laws The method of characteristics Gradient catastrophes and breaking times Shock waves Shock wave example: Traffic at a red light Shock waves and the viscosity method Rarefaction waves An example with rarefaction and shock waves Nonunique solutions and the entropy condition Weak solutions of conservation laws Bibliography Index.
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