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Differentiable Manifolds

A Theoretical Physics Approach

Birkhäuser
  • Introduces differentiable manifolds using a theoretical physics approach

  • Includes applications to differential geometry and general relativity

  • Expands on the first edition with additional examples, more exercises, new topics, and a complete solutions manual

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Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-x
  2. Manifolds

    • Gerardo F. Torres del Castillo
    Pages 1-36
  3. Lie Derivatives

    • Gerardo F. Torres del Castillo
    Pages 37-58
  4. Differential Forms

    • Gerardo F. Torres del Castillo
    Pages 59-77
  5. Integral Manifolds

    • Gerardo F. Torres del Castillo
    Pages 79-111
  6. Connections

    • Gerardo F. Torres del Castillo
    Pages 113-139
  7. Riemannian Manifolds

    • Gerardo F. Torres del Castillo
    Pages 141-202
  8. Lie Groups

    • Gerardo F. Torres del Castillo
    Pages 203-255
  9. Hamiltonian Classical Mechanics

    • Gerardo F. Torres del Castillo
    Pages 257-319
  10. Back Matter

    Pages 321-444

About this book

This textbook gives a concise introduction to the theory of differentiable manifolds, focusing on their applications to differential equations, differential geometry, and Hamiltonian mechanics.

The first three chapters introduce the basic concepts of the theory, such as differentiable maps, tangent vectors, vector and tensor fields, differential forms, local one-parameter groups of diffeomorphisms, and Lie derivatives. These tools are subsequently employed in the study of differential equations, connections, Riemannian manifolds, Lie groups, and Hamiltonian mechanics. Throughout, the book contains examples, worked out in detail, as well as exercises intended to show how the formalism is applied to actual computations and to emphasize the connections among various areas of mathematics.

This second edition greatly expands upon the first by including more examples, additional exercises, and new topics, such as the moment map and fiber bundles. Detailed solutions to every exercise are also provided.

Differentiable Manifolds is addressed to advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate students in mathematics or physics. Prerequisites include multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and a basic knowledge of analytical mechanics

Review of the first edition:

This book presents an introduction to differential geometry and the calculus on manifolds with a view on some of its applications in physics. … The present author has succeeded in writing a book which has its own flavor and its own emphasis, which makes it certainly a valuable addition to the literature on the subject. Frans Cantrijn, Mathematical Reviews

Authors and Affiliations

  • Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico

    Gerardo F. Torres del Castillo

About the author

Gerardo F. Torres del Castillo is a professor of physics and mathematics at the Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, where he has taught since 1979. He is the author or coauthor of more than 30 papers on classical mechanics. His other published books are Differentiable Manifolds; 3-D Spinors, Spin-Weighted Functions and their Applications; and Spinors in Four-Dimensional Spaces.

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
Hardcover Book USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access