A First Course in the Calculus of Variations [Bookshelf]

The calculus of variations is a classic topic in applied mathematics on which many texts have already been written [1]-[5]. A First Course in the Calculus of Variations, without reservation, is a superb introduction to the subject, and, as the title suggests, it can serve as a text for an introductory course for both senior undergraduate and first-year graduate students. The text covers all topics that would be expected in an introductory course on the calculus of variations, including Euler?Lagrange equations, variable end-point problems, multiple dependent/independent variables, and constraints. In addition, the author addresses several subtle aspects of the subject that are traditionally not covered in texts that are geared to the interests of applied mathematicians, physicists, and engineers, such as weak versus strong variations, sufficiency conditions, and broken extremals.