Godwin, Anthony Nicholas (1971) Elementary catastrophes. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The theory of catastrophe as introduced by Thom [1,2] could well be the most important step in the creation of a reliable method for mathematical modeling of complex situations. A thorough justification for this statement and the discussion of applications that have already been worked out is not within the scope of this thesis. We assume that a good case has been made in terms of mathematical interest and applicability of the results to warrant the closer attention to the details of the mathematical implications of the theory. In line with the general principle that it is easier to describe how to make something than to describe the finished project, we find the simple formula for potential functions have complex geometric consequences. It is perhaps not too much of a distortion to say that this thesis is a description of some geometric properties implied by some simple families of polynomial functions of two variables.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Catastrophes (Mathematics)
Official Date:	October 1971
Dates:	Date Event October 1971 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Mathematics Institute
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Zeeman, E. C. (Erik Christopher), 1925-
Extent:	[127] leaves
Language:	eng

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