Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

A Geometric Approach to Differential Forms

A Geometric Approach to Differential Forms This text presents differential forms from a geometric perspective accessible at the undergraduate level. It begins with basic concepts such as partial differentiation and multiple integration and gently develops the entire machinery of differential forms. The subject is approached with the idea that complex concepts can be built up by analogy from simpler cases, which, being inherently geometric, often can be best understood visually. Each new concept is presented with a natural picture that students can easily grasp. Algebraic properties then follow. The book contains excellent motivation, numerous illustrations and solutions to selected problems. ; This text presents differential forms from a geometric perspective accessible at the undergraduate level. The book begins with basic concepts such as partial differentiation and multiple integration and gently develops the entire machinery of differential forms. ; The modern subject of differential forms subsumes classical vector calculus. This text presents differential forms from a geometric perspective accessible at the sophomore undergraduate level. The book begins with basic concepts such as partial differentiation and multiple integration and gently develops the entire machinery of differential forms. The author approaches the subject with the idea that complex concepts can be built up by analogy from simpler cases, which, being inherently geometric, often can be best understood visually. Each new concept is presented with a natural picture that students can easily grasp. Algebraic properties then follow. This facilitates the development of differential forms without assuming a background in linear algebra. Throughout the text, emphasis is placed on applications in 3 dimensions, but all definitions are given so as to be easily generalized to higher dimensions. A centerpiece of the text is the generalized Stokes' theorem. Although this theorem implies all of the classical integral theorems of vector calculus, it is far easier for students to both comprehend and remember. The text is designed to support three distinct course tracks: the first as the primary textbook for third semester (multivariable) calculus, suitable for anyone with a year of calculus; the second is aimed at students enrolled in sophomore-level vector calculus; while the third targets advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students in physics or mathematics, covering more advanced topics such as Maxwell's equations, foliation theory, and cohomology. Containing excellent motivation, numerous illustrations and solutions to selected problems in an appendix, the material has been tested in the classroom along all three potential course tracks. ; Preface.- Guide to the Reader.-Multivariable Calculus.- Parameterizations.- Introduction to Forms.- Forms.- Differential Forms.- Differentiation of Forms.- Stokes' Theorem.- Applications.- Manifolds.- Non-linear Forms.- References.- Index.- Solutions.; From the reviews of the second edition: “This book is a good complement to existing textbooks on vector calculus and shows a different view on classic material. It should be helpful to both physicists and mathematicians as an introduction to first concepts of the basic tools of modern theoretical physics, differential geometry, and topology.” (Vladislav Nikolaevich Dumachev, zbMATH, Vol. 1266, 2013); "(The author's) idea is to use geometric intuition to alleviate some of the algebraic difficulties...The emphasis is on understanding rather than on detailed derivations and proofs. This is definitely the right approach in a course at this level." —MAA Reviews (Review of First Edition) "The book certainly has its merits and is very nicely illustrated … . It should be noted that the material, which has been tested already in the classroom, aims at three potential course tracks: a course in multivariable calculus, a course in vector calculus and a course for more advanced undergraduates (and beginning graduates)." —Mathematical Reviews (Review of First Edition) The modern subject of differential forms subsumes classical vector calculus. This text presents differential forms from a geometric perspective accessible at the advanced undergraduate level. The author approaches the subject with the idea that complex concepts can be built up by analogy from simpler cases, which, being inherently geometric, often can be best understood visually. Each new concept is presented with a natural picture that students can easily grasp; algebraic properties then follow. This facilitates the development of differential forms without assuming a background in linear algebra. Throughout the text, emphasis is placed on applications in 3 dimensions, but all definitions are given so as to be easily generalized to higher dimensions. The second edition includes a completely new chapter on differential geometry, as well as other new sections, new exercises and new examples. Additional solutions to selected exercises have also been included. The work is suitable for use as the primary textbook for a sophomore-level class in vector calculus, as well as for more upper-level courses in differential topology and differential geometry. ; The second edition includes two additional chapters, focusing on the more advanced topics of the book Presents differential forms from a geometric perspective accessible at the sophomore undergraduate level Each new concept is presented with a natural picture that students can easily grasp; algebraic properties then follow Designed to support three distinct, classroom tested, course tracks Contains excellent motivation, numerous illustrations and solutions to selected problems ; This text presents differential forms from a geometric perspective accessible at the undergraduate level. The book begins with basic concepts such as partial differentiation and multiple integration and gently develops the entire machinery of differential forms. The author approaches the subject with the idea that complex concepts can be built up by analogy from simpler cases, which, being inherently geometric, often can be best understood visually. Each new concept is presented with a natural picture that students can easily grasp. Algebraic properties then follow. This facilitates the development of differential forms without assuming a background in linear algebra. Containing excellent motivation, numerous illustrations and solutions to selected problems in an appendix, the material has been tested in the classroom along all three potential course tracks. ; GB http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png

A Geometric Approach to Differential Forms

Download PDF
167 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/springer-e-books/a-geometric-approach-to-differential-forms-dc3YWJf0EY
Publisher
Birkhäuser Boston
Copyright
Copyright © Springer Basel AG
DOI
10.1007/978-0-8176-8304-7
Publisher site
See Book on Publisher Site

Abstract

This text presents differential forms from a geometric perspective accessible at the undergraduate level. It begins with basic concepts such as partial differentiation and multiple integration and gently develops the entire machinery of differential forms. The subject is approached with the idea that complex concepts can be built up by analogy from simpler cases, which, being inherently geometric, often can be best understood visually. Each new concept is presented with a natural picture that students can easily grasp. Algebraic properties then follow. The book contains excellent motivation, numerous illustrations and solutions to selected problems. ; This text presents differential forms from a geometric perspective accessible at the undergraduate level. The book begins with basic concepts such as partial differentiation and multiple integration and gently develops the entire machinery of differential forms. ; The modern subject of differential forms subsumes classical vector calculus. This text presents differential forms from a geometric perspective accessible at the sophomore undergraduate level. The book begins with basic concepts such as partial differentiation and multiple integration and gently develops the entire machinery of differential forms. The author approaches the subject with the idea that complex concepts can be built up by analogy from simpler cases, which, being inherently geometric, often can be best understood visually. Each new concept is presented with a natural picture that students can easily grasp. Algebraic properties then follow. This facilitates the development of differential forms without assuming a background in linear algebra. Throughout the text, emphasis is placed on applications in 3 dimensions, but all definitions are given so as to be easily generalized to higher dimensions. A centerpiece of the text is the generalized Stokes' theorem. Although this theorem implies all of the classical integral theorems of vector calculus, it is far easier for students to both comprehend and remember. The text is designed to support three distinct course tracks: the first as the primary textbook for third semester (multivariable) calculus, suitable for anyone with a year of calculus; the second is aimed at students enrolled in sophomore-level vector calculus; while the third targets advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students in physics or mathematics, covering more advanced topics such as Maxwell's equations, foliation theory, and cohomology. Containing excellent motivation, numerous illustrations and solutions to selected problems in an appendix, the material has been tested in the classroom along all three potential course tracks. ; Preface.- Guide to the Reader.-Multivariable Calculus.- Parameterizations.- Introduction to Forms.- Forms.- Differential Forms.- Differentiation of Forms.- Stokes' Theorem.- Applications.- Manifolds.- Non-linear Forms.- References.- Index.- Solutions.; From the reviews of the second edition: “This book is a good complement to existing textbooks on vector calculus and shows a different view on classic material. It should be helpful to both physicists and mathematicians as an introduction to first concepts of the basic tools of modern theoretical physics, differential geometry, and topology.” (Vladislav Nikolaevich Dumachev, zbMATH, Vol. 1266, 2013); "(The author's) idea is to use geometric intuition to alleviate some of the algebraic difficulties...The emphasis is on understanding rather than on detailed derivations and proofs. This is definitely the right approach in a course at this level." —MAA Reviews (Review of First Edition) "The book certainly has its merits and is very nicely illustrated … . It should be noted that the material, which has been tested already in the classroom, aims at three potential course tracks: a course in multivariable calculus, a course in vector calculus and a course for more advanced undergraduates (and beginning graduates)." —Mathematical Reviews (Review of First Edition) The modern subject of differential forms subsumes classical vector calculus. This text presents differential forms from a geometric perspective accessible at the advanced undergraduate level. The author approaches the subject with the idea that complex concepts can be built up by analogy from simpler cases, which, being inherently geometric, often can be best understood visually. Each new concept is presented with a natural picture that students can easily grasp; algebraic properties then follow. This facilitates the development of differential forms without assuming a background in linear algebra. Throughout the text, emphasis is placed on applications in 3 dimensions, but all definitions are given so as to be easily generalized to higher dimensions. The second edition includes a completely new chapter on differential geometry, as well as other new sections, new exercises and new examples. Additional solutions to selected exercises have also been included. The work is suitable for use as the primary textbook for a sophomore-level class in vector calculus, as well as for more upper-level courses in differential topology and differential geometry. ; The second edition includes two additional chapters, focusing on the more advanced topics of the book Presents differential forms from a geometric perspective accessible at the sophomore undergraduate level Each new concept is presented with a natural picture that students can easily grasp; algebraic properties then follow Designed to support three distinct, classroom tested, course tracks Contains excellent motivation, numerous illustrations and solutions to selected problems ; This text presents differential forms from a geometric perspective accessible at the undergraduate level. The book begins with basic concepts such as partial differentiation and multiple integration and gently develops the entire machinery of differential forms. The author approaches the subject with the idea that complex concepts can be built up by analogy from simpler cases, which, being inherently geometric, often can be best understood visually. Each new concept is presented with a natural picture that students can easily grasp. Algebraic properties then follow. This facilitates the development of differential forms without assuming a background in linear algebra. Containing excellent motivation, numerous illustrations and solutions to selected problems in an appendix, the material has been tested in the classroom along all three potential course tracks. ; GB

Published: Feb 2, 2012

There are no references for this article.