This text provides a clear concise introduction to the calculus of variations.

Broadly speaking, there are two general approaches to teaching mathematical modeling: 1) The case study approach focusing on different specific modeling problems familiar to the particular author, and 2) The methods approach teaching some useful mathematical techniques accessible to the targeted student cohort with different models introduced to illustrate the application of the methods taught. The goal and approach of this new text differ from these two conventional approaches in that its emphasis is on the scientific issues that prompt the mathematical modeling and analysis of a particular...

Broadly speaking, there are two general approaches to teaching mathematical modeling: 1) The case study approach focusing on different specific modeling problems familiar to the particular author, and 2) The methods approach teaching some useful mathematical techniques accessible to the targeted student cohort with different models introduced to illustrate the application of the methods taught. The goal and approach of this new text differ from these two conventional approaches in that its emphasis is on the scientific issues that prompt the mathematical modeling and analysis of a particular...