Introduction to the Foundations of Applied Mathematics

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvi

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2. Dimensional Analysis

   • Mark H. Holmes

   Pages 1-47

3. Perturbation Methods

   • Mark H. Holmes

   Pages 49-101

4. Kinetics

   • Mark H. Holmes

   Pages 103-164

5. Diffusion

   • Mark H. Holmes

   Pages 165-232

6. Traffic Flow

   • Mark H. Holmes

   Pages 233-294

7. Continuum Mechanics: One Spatial Dimension

   • Mark H. Holmes

   Pages 295-343

8. Elastic and Viscoelastic Materials

   • Mark H. Holmes

   Pages 345-387

9. Continuum Mechanics: Three Spatial Dimensions

   • Mark H. Holmes

   Pages 389-443

10. Newtonian Fluids

    • Mark H. Holmes

    Pages 445-495

11. Back Matter

    Pages 497-528

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The objective of this textbook is the construction, analysis, and interpretation of mathematical models to help us understand the world we live in. Rather than follow a case study approach it develops the mathematical and physical ideas that are fundamental in understanding contemporary problems in science and engineering. Science evolves, and this means that the problems of current interest continually change.

What does not change as quickly is the approach used to derive the relevant mathematical models, and the methods used to analyze the models. Consequently, this book is written in such a way as to establish the mathematical ideas underlying model development independently of a specific application. This does not mean applications are not considered, they are, and connections with experiment are a staple of this book.

The book, as well as the individual chapters, is written in such a way that the material becomes more sophisticated as you progress. Thisprovides some flexibility in how the book is used, allowing consideration for the breadth and depth of the material covered.

Moreover, there are a wide spectrum of exercises and detailed illustrations that significantly enrich the material. Students and researchers interested in mathematical modelling in mathematics, physics, engineering and the applied sciences will find this text useful.

The material, and topics, have been updated to include recent developments in mathematical modeling. The exercises have also been expanded to include these changes, as well as enhance those from the first edition.

Review of first edition:

"The goal of this book is to introduce the mathematical tools needed for analyzing and deriving mathematical models. … Holmes is able to integrate the theory with application in a very nice way providing an excellent book on applied mathematics. … One of the best features of the book is the abundant number of exercises found at the end of each chapter. … I think this is a great book, and I recommend it for scholarly purposes by students, teachers, and researchers." 

Joe Latulippe, The Mathematical Association of America, December, 2009

• Applied Mathematics
• Foundations
• Identity
• Introduction
• calculus
• equation
• linear optimization
• mathematics
• theorem

• Department of Mathematical Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, USA

  Mark H. Holmes

Mark Holmes is a Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and is currently the Director of the Center for Modeling, Optimization and Computational Analysis.  His research interests involve problems integrating modeling and computational analysis.  Professor Holmes has three published books in Springer's Texts in Applied Mathematics series: Introduction to Perturbation Methods, Introduction to the Foundations of Applied Mathematics, and Introduction to Numerical Methods in Differential Equations.

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