Description
Book SynopsisOne classical application of Morse theory includes the attempt to understand, with only limited information, the large-scale structure of an object. This kind of problem occurs in mathematical physics, dynamic systems, and mechanical engineering. This book offers an exposition of Morse theory by John Milnor, recipient of the Fields Medal in 1962.
Trade Review"John Milnor, Winner of the 2011 Abel Prize from the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters"
"John Willard Milnor, Winner of the 2011 Leroy P. Steele Prize for Lifetime Achievement, American Mathematical Society"
Table of Contents*Frontmatter, pg. i*PREFACE, pg. v*CONTENTS, pg. vii*PART I. NON-DEGENERATE SMOOTH FUNCTIONS ON A MANIFOLD, pg. 1*PART II. A RAPID COURSE IN RIEMANNIAN GEOMETRY, pg. 43*PART III. THE CALCULUS OF VARIATIONS APPLIED TO GEODESICS, pg. 67*PART IV. APPLICATIONS TO LIE GROUPS AND SYMMETRIC SPACES, pg. 109*APPENDIX. THE HOMOTOPY TYPE OF A MONOTONE UNION, pg. 149
