Accessible, concise, and self-contained, this book offers an outstanding introduction to three related subjects: differential geometry, differential topology, and dynamical systems. Topics of special interest addressed in the book include Brouwer's fixed point theorem, Morse Theory, and the geodesic flow.

Smooth manifolds, Riemannian metrics, affine connections, the curvature tensor, differential forms, and integration on manifolds provide the foundation for many applications in dynamical systems and mechanics. The authors also discuss the Gauss-Bonnet theorem and its implications in non-Euclidean geometry models.

The differential topology aspect of the book centers on classical, transversality theory, Sard's theorem, intersection theory, and fixed-point theorems. The construction of the de Rham cohomology builds further arguments for the strong connection between the differential structure and the topological structure. It also furnishes some of the tools necessary for a complete understanding of the Morse theory. These discussions are followed by an introduction to the theory of hyperbolic systems, with emphasis on the quintessential role of the geodesic flow.

The integration of geometric theory, topological theory, and concrete applications to dynamical systems set this book apart. With clean, clear prose and effective examples, the authors' intuitive approach creates a treatment that is comprehensible to relative beginners, yet rigorous enough for those with more background and experience in the field.

Reviews

"The authors introduce important concepts by means of intuitive discussions and suggestive examples and follow them with significant applications, especially those related to dynamics. ...The authors have succeeded in the integration of geometric theory, topological theory, and concrete applications to dynamical systems."
-Mathematical Reviews, Andrew Bucki

"The authors of this book treat a great many topics very concisely."
-MAA Reviews, William J. Satzer, 2005

"A noteworthy feature of the presentation is that dynamical systems, which are introduced in the second chapter, are used systematically to illustrate concepts and as a source of applications."
-CMS Notes, Vol. 38, No. 2, March, 2006

". . . very well written, in a very pedagogical manner and it covers a lot of material in a very clear way. I think this is an ideal introduction to differential geometry and topology for beginning graduate students or advanced undergraduate students in mathematics, but it will be, also, useful to physicist or other scientists with an interest in differential geometry and dynamical systems."

- Paul Blaga, in Babes- Bolyai Mathematica, June 2007, Vol. 52, No. 2

"Numerous illustrations and exercises round off the picture of an original and very readable textbook."

- M. Kunzinger, in Monatshefte fur Math, 2007, Vol. 152, No. 1

Book Information
ISBN 9781584882534
Author Keith Burns
Format Hardback
Page Count 400
Imprint Chapman & Hall/CRC
Publisher Taylor & Francis Inc
Weight(grams) 900g