Calculus of Variations

LECTURER:

D Pollney

Prerequisites

MAT 1

Description

This course develops variational principles for solving minimization problems. We introduce the concept of a functional and the Principle of Least Action leading to the Euler-Lagrange equations determining geodesics. Geometrical symmetries determine conserved variables via Noether's theorem. The ideas are illustrated through application to classical problems in dynamics. 

Textbook

• Course notes