Synopses & Reviews
An introduction to catastrophe theory, a mathematical theory which deals with those changes which occur abruptly rather than smoothly. Includes many applications to illustrate the different ways in which catastrophe can be used in life, physical and social sciences.
Synopsis
The aim of this book is to make it possible for anyone with a comparatively modest background in mathematics to understand the theory well enough to follow the arguments in papers in which it is used. This controversial and intriguing book will find applications as a text and guide to theoretical biologists, and scientists.
Table of Contents
Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Background; 3. The seven elementary catastrophes; 4. The geometry of the seven elementary catastrophes; 5. Applications in physics; 6. Applications in the social sciences; 7. Applications in biology; 8. Morphogenesis; 9. Conclusions; Exercises; References; Author index; Subject index.