A First Course in Chaotic Dynamical Systems: Theory and Experiment

Studies in Nonlinearity

by Robert L. Devaney

A First Course in Chaotic Dynamical Systems: Theory and Experiment is the first book to introduce modern topics in dynamical systems at the undergraduate level. Accessible to readers with only a background in calculus, the book integrates both theory and computer experiments into its coverage of contemporary ideas in dynamics. It is designed as a gradual introduction to the basic mathematical ideas behind such topics as chaos, fractals, Newton’s method, symbolic dynamics, the Julia set, and the Mandelbrot set, and includes biographies of some of the leading researchers in the field of dynamical systems. Mathematical and computer experiments are integrated throughout the text to help illustrate the meaning of the theorems presented.Chaotic Dynamical Systems Software, Labs 1–6 is a supplementary laboratory software package, available separately, that allows a more intuitive understanding of the mathematics behind dynamical systems theory. Combined with A First Course in Chaotic Dynamical Systems, it leads to a rich understanding of this emerging field.

Genres: Science, Mathematics, Textbooks, Reference

320 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1992

Reviews

[Logan Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great and interesting mathematics book. Robert L. Devaney did an amazing job at explaining complex ideas to the audience. Each chapter and each topic, he helps walk you through it step by step. He also does a great job at explaining and showing why things are the way that they are. Not only is his writing good on helping you understand, but the whole field of these forms of mathematics are some of the most interesting and applicable ideas in modern day technology. This adds the feeling of actually being able to use what you are learning. It is also a nice compliment that he adds experiments in the book that you can try out yourself. I personally would recommend this book for people who are genuinely interested in mathematics and similar subjects. Overall, I found this book very interesting and worth a read if you are interested.

[Brian Bloom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took a course on Chaos Theory and just wasn't a fan at all but that isn't the book's fault