Skip to main content
  • Book
  • © 2020

Modeling with Nonsmooth Dynamics

Authors:

  • Rather than presenting well-established facts, this book sets out a field in need of the attention of a wide range of theoretical and applied scientists
  • A novel range of applied examples are presented, including biological regulation and investment modeling
  • An informal style is taken that invites the reader into a conversation on the theory and applications of nonsmooth models

Part of the book series: Frontiers in Applied Dynamical Systems: Reviews and Tutorials (FIADS, volume 7)

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check for access.

Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-viii
  2. Mathematics for a Nonsmooth World

    • Mike R. Jeffrey
    Pages 1-14
  3. 1930–2010: Nonsmooth Dynamics’ Linear Age

    • Mike R. Jeffrey
    Pages 15-20
  4. Discontinuities to Model Missing Knowledge

    • Mike R. Jeffrey
    Pages 21-24
  5. Three Experiments

    • Mike R. Jeffrey
    Pages 25-33
  6. Layers and Implementations

    • Mike R. Jeffrey
    Pages 35-43
  7. Ideal and Non-ideal Sliding

    • Mike R. Jeffrey
    Pages 45-57
  8. The Three Experiments Revisited

    • Mike R. Jeffrey
    Pages 59-73
  9. Further Curiosities of Hidden Dynamics

    • Mike R. Jeffrey
    Pages 75-79
  10. Closing Remarks: Open Challenges

    • Mike R. Jeffrey
    Pages 81-83
  11. Back Matter

    Pages 85-104

About this book

This volume looks at the study of dynamical systems with discontinuities. Discontinuities arise when systems are subject to switches, decisions, or other abrupt changes in their underlying properties that require a ‘non-smooth’ definition. A review of current ideas and introduction to key methods is given, with a view to opening discussion of a major open problem in our fundamental understanding of what nonsmooth models are. 

What does a nonsmooth model represent: an approximation, a toy model, a sophisticated qualitative capturing of empirical law, or a mere abstraction? Tackling this question means confronting rarely discussed indeterminacies and ambiguities in how we define, simulate, and solve nonsmooth models. The author illustrates these with simple examples based on genetic regulation and investment games, and proposes precise mathematical tools to tackle them.

The volume is aimed at students and researchers who have some experience of dynamical systems, whether as a modelling tool or studying theoretically. Pointing to a range of theoretical and applied literature, the author introduces the key ideas needed to tackle nonsmooth models, but also shows the gaps in understanding that all researchers should be bearing in mind.

Mike Jeffrey is a researcher and lecturer at the University of Bristol with a background in mathematical physics, specializing in dynamics, singularities, and asymptotics.

Reviews

“This book is best matched to graduate students and researchers with a background in basic dynamical systems. It has an extensive bibliography and would provide a great source for new research problems.” (Bill Satzer, MAA Reviews, September 13, 2020)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

    Mike R. Jeffrey

About the author

Mike Jeffrey is a researcher and lecturer at the University of Bristol with a background in mathematical physics specializing in dynamics, singularities, and asymptotics.​

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access