Nonlinear dynamics and chaos. With applications to physics, biology, chemistry, and engineering (Q2817906)

This classic textbook offers an introductory, yet in-depth look into the theory of chaos. Over the last 60 years, chaos theory has been integrated in numerous applications spanning all fields of natural sciences, and this book makes sure to underline this.NEWLINENEWLINEOne of the most attractive aspects of this book is the explanation of the phenomena relating to dynamical systems and chaos. In the presented phenomena, a geometric approach is provided for their explanation. This greatly enhances the understanding of system solutions as flows. A second engaging aspect, is how well the syllabus is structured. The book is divided in three parts. It starts by considering one-dimensional systems, build up to two dimensional, and eventually three dimensional systems and chaos, explaining all relevant behaviors associated with each case. Thus, an interested reader can go through the whole book from start to finish without discarding any chapter.NEWLINENEWLINEOverall, this book is an excellent textbook option to be used in an advanced undergraduate course on nonlinear dynamics, due to its explanatory nature, plethora of examples, and well structured syllabus that slowly builds towards complex phenomena. Every chapter also ends with a collection of exercises suitable for class assignments (there is also a solution manual available [\textit{M. Dichter}, Student solutions manual for Nonlinear dynamics and chaos. With applications to physics, biology, chemistry, and engineering, 2nd edition. Boulder, CO: Westview Press (2017; Zbl 1352.37001)]). It can also be opted as a starting resource for graduates or early researchers wanting to get acquainted with chaos theory and its applications, but do not know where to begin. It is suitable to individuals coming from any background, either physics, mathematics, biology, or engineering, provided they have some fundamental calculus background.