2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MATH2650 Calculus of Variations

10 creditsClass Size: 150

Module manager: Dr R. Sturman
Email: R.Sturman@maths.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

Pre-requisite qualifications

(MATH1015 or MATH1060) and (MATH1050 or MATH1960), or equivalent.

Module replaces

MATH2610

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

The calculus of variations concerns problems in which one wishes to find the extrema (usually the minima) of some quantity over a system that has functional degrees of freedom. Many important problems arise in this way across pure and applied mathematics and physics. In this course it is shown that such variational problems give rise to a system of differential equations, the Euler-Lagrange equations. These equations, which have far reaching applications, and the techniques for their solution, will be studied in detail.

Objectives

Students will learn how to formulate and analyse variational problems. They will be able to apply the Calculus of Variations to a range of minimisation problems in physics and mechanics.

Syllabus

1. Introduction to the general ideas of the Calculus of Variations. Derivation of the Euler equation.
2. Simple problems involving one independent variable and one dependent variable; catenary (the hanging chain problem), brachistochrone (the sliding particle problem), the shape of soap films.
3. Extensions to case with several dependent variables and then several independent variables.
4. Finding extrema with constraints. Lagrange multipliers. Variable end points.
5. Rayleigh-Ritz method and eigenvalue problems for Sturm-Liouville equations.
6. Hamilton's principle. Euler-Lagrange equation. Formulation of problems involving small oscillations in terms of normal coordinates. Analysis of normal modes and eigenfrequencies.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	22	1.00	22.00
Tutorial	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			67.00
Total Contact hours			33.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Regular examples sheets

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 09/07/2008

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