Generalized functions are now widely recognized as important mathematical tools for engineers and physicists. But they are considered to be inaccessible for non-specialists. To remedy this situation, this book gives an intelligible exposition of generalized functions based on Sato's hyperfunction, which is essentially the boundary value of analytic functions'. An intuitive image -- hyperfunction = vortex layer -- is adopted, and only an elementary knowledge of complex function theory is assumed. The treatment is entirely self-contained.
The first part of the book gives a detailed...