A First Course in Differential Geometry
Surfaces in Euclidean Space
Lyndon Woodward, University of Durham, John Bolton, University of
Durham
Publication date
Digital publication date: 12 December 2018
Physical publication date: 29 November 2018
Differential geometry is the study of curved spaces using the
techniques of calculus. It is a mainstay of undergraduate mathematics
education and a cornerstone of modern geometry. It is also the
language used by Einstein to express general relativity, and so is an
essential tool for astronomers and theoretical physicists. This
introductory textbook originates from a popular course given to third
year students at Durham University for over twenty years, first by the
late L. M. Woodward and later by John Bolton (and others). It provides a
thorough introduction by focusing on the beginnings of the subject as
Find out more
studied by Gauss: curves and surfaces in Euclidean space. While the
main topics are the classics of differential geometry - the definition and geometric meaning of
Gaussian curvature, the Theorema Egregium, geodesics, and the Gauss–Bonnet Theorem - the
treatment is modern and student-friendly, taking direct routes to explain, prove and apply the
main results. It includes many exercises to test students' understanding of the material, and ends
with a supplementary chapter on minimal surfaces that could be used as an extension towards
advanced courses or as a source of student projects.
Key features
Explains some of the main classical highlights of the geometry of surfaces (Theorema
Egregium, geodesics, Gauss–Bonnet Theorem) using a minimal amount of theory, while
presenting some advanced material suitable for self-study at the end
Builds up geometric intuition by providing many examples to illustrate definitions and
concepts, and drawing analogies with real-life experiences
Includes many exercises at the end of each chapter. Students can challenge their
understanding of the contents through problem solving, and brief solutions are given to about
a third of the exercises
Resources
There are Instructor restricted resources available for this textbook from the resources page.
About the book
This flyer was generated on 20 March 2024 and 04:54 and the information may have
changed
Subjects: Geometry and Topology, Mathematics
Format: Hardback , Price: US$112.00
Publication date: 29 November 2018, ISBN: 9781108424936
Format: Paperback , Price: US$44.99
Publication date: 29 November 2018, ISBN: 9781108441025
Format: Digital , Price: US$44.99
Publication date: 12 December 2018, ISBN: 9781108348072
https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108348072
Contents
1 - Curves in ℝn 7 - Geodesic curvature and geodesics
2 - Surfaces in ℝn 8 - The Gauss–Bonnet Theorem
3 - Tangent planes and the first fundamental form 9 - Minimal and CMC surfaces
4 - Smooth maps 10 - Hints or answers to some exercises
5 - Measuring how surfaces curve Index
6 - The Theorema Egregium
This flyer was generated on 20 March 2024 and 04:54 and the information may have
changed
