MATH
402:
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Syllabus,
Assignments, and Exams |
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Course
Description: The calculus of variations is concerned with
finding optimal solutions (shapes, functions, etc.) where optimality is
measured by minimizing a functional (usually an integral involving the
unknown functions) possibly with constraints. This course is an
introduction to the classic ideas and techniques of the calculus of
variations, with emphasis on its applications in several scientific
fields. Isoperimetric problems, the Hamilton-Jacobi differential
equation, eigenvalue eigenfunction problems for the vibrating
string/membrane will be among the subjects of investigation of this
course.
| Announcements: |
03/19/2011 - Fifth assignment posted. 03/19/2011 - Solution to Assignment 4 posted. 02/28/2011 - Solution to Assignment 3 posted. 02/28/2011 - Fourth assignment posted. 02/21/2011 - Solution to Assignment 2 posted. 01/31/2011 - Third assignment posted. 01/31/2011 - Second assignment posted. 01/21/2011 - Solution to Assignment 1 posted. 01/14/2011 - First assignment posted. 01/04/2011 - Website Created. |
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Prof. Mahta Khosravi |
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Office Hours |
Wednesdays 12:00pm - 2:00pm
(MATH
219) (or by appointment). |
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| Pre-reqs: |
A score of 68% or higher
in one of MATH 301, MATH 320. |
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Text: |
“Calculus
of variations” by I. M. Gelfand and S. V. Fomin. Chapters I-VI |
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Homework and Exams: |
Homework
problems will be posted regularly on the course website. In addition, there will be a final and a course project. You total score will be a weighted average of your homework, project and final scores, with the breakdown as follows: 50% on the Homework 20% on Projects 30% on the Final Exam |