This Brief puts together two subjects, quantum and variational calculi by considering variational problems involving Hahn quantum operators. The main advantage of its results is that they are able to deal with nondifferentiable (even discontinuous) functions, which are important in applications. Possible applications in economics are discussed. Economists model time as continuous or discrete. Although individual economic decisions are generally made at discrete time intervals, they may well be less than perfectly synchronized in ways discrete models postulate. On the other hand, the usual assumption that economic activity takes place continuously, is nothing else than a convenient abstraction that in many applications is far from reality. The Hahn quantum calculus helps to bridge the gap between the two families of models: continuous and discrete. Quantum Variational Calculus is self-contained and unified in presentation. It provides an opportunity for an introduction to the quantum calculus of variations for experienced researchers but may be used as an advanced textbook by graduate students and even ambitious undergraduates as well. The explanations in the book are detailed to capture the interest of the curious reader, and complete to provide the necessary background material needed to go further into the subject and explore the rich research literature, motivating further research activity in the area.

Quantum calculus is the modern name for the investigation of calculus without limits. Quantum calculus, or q-calculus, began with F.H. Jackson in the early twentieth century, but this kind of calculus had already been worked out by renowned mathematicians Euler and Jacobi. Lately, quantum calculus has aroused a great amount of interest due to the high demand of mathematics that model quantum computing. The q-calculus appeared as a connection between mathematics and physics. It has a lot of applications in different mathematical areas such as number theory, combinatorics, orthogonal polynomials, basic hypergeometric functions and other quantum theory sciences, mechanics, and the theory of relativity. Recently, the concept of general quantum difference operators that generalize quantum calculus has been defined. General Quantum Variational Calculus is specially designed for those who wish to understand this important mathematical concept, as the text encompasses recent developments of general quantum variational calculus. The material is presented in a highly readable, mathematically solid format. Many practical problems are illustrated, displaying a wide variety of solution techniques. This book is addressed to a wide audience of specialists such as mathematicians, physicists, engineers, and biologists. It can be used as a textbook at the graduate level and as a reference for several disciplines.

Presents a rigorous study on manifolds in Rn. Develops in details important standard topics on advanced calculus, such as the differential forms in surfaces in Rn. Presents a proposal to connect classical and quantum mechanics. Presents variational formulations for relativistic mechanics through semi-Riemannian geometry and differential geometry. Develops a rigorous study on causal structures in space-time manifolds.

DIVHistorical, theoretical survey with many insights, much hard-to-find material. Hamilton’s principle, Hamilton-Jacobi equation, etc. /div

Physics has long been regarded as a wellspring of mathematical problems. Mathematical Methods in Physics is a self-contained presentation, driven by historic motivations, excellent examples, detailed proofs, and a focus on those parts of mathematics that are needed in more ambitious courses on quantum mechanics and classical and quantum field theory. Aimed primarily at a broad community of graduate students in mathematics, mathematical physics, physics and engineering, as well as researchers in these disciplines.

Clear, rigorous introductory treatment covers applications to geometry, dynamics, and physics. It focuses upon problems with one independent variable, connecting abstract theory with its use in concrete problems. 1962 edition.

The calculus of variations, whose origins can be traced to the works of Aristotle and Zenodoros, is now Ii vast repository supplying fundamental tools of exploration not only to the mathematician, but-as evidenced by current literature-also to those in most branches of science in which mathematics is applied. (Indeed, the macroscopic statements afforded by variational principles may provide the only valid mathematical formulation of many physical laws. ) As such, it retains the spirit of natural philosophy common to most mathematical investigations prior to this century. How ever, it is a discipline in which a single symbol (b) has at times been assigned almost mystical powers of operation and discernment, not readily subsumed into the formal structures of modern mathematics. And it is a field for which it is generally supposed that most questions motivating interest in the subject will probably not be answerable at the introductory level of their formulation. In earlier articles,1,2 it was shown through several examples that a complete characterization of the solution of optimization problems may be available by elementary methods, and it is the purpose of this work to explore further the convexity which underlay these individual successes in the context of a full introductory treatment of the theory of the variational calculus. The required convexity is that determined through Gateaux variations, which can be defined in any real linear space and which provide an unambiguous foundation for the theory.