Concerning a Compound Discontinuous Solution in the Problem of the Surface of Revolution of Minimum Area - Softcover

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9781333108403: Concerning a Compound Discontinuous Solution in the Problem of the Surface of Revolution of Minimum Area

Synopsis

This book offers a breakthrough for a classical problem in mathematics, in which the goal is to find the minimal surface created by a wireframe when dipped in a soap solution and pulled apart. In this context, "minimal" means the surface with the smallest possible area. After an initial proposal in 1880, the problem was considered solved. However, the author discovered errors in the historical solution and proposes an alternative here. The new solution involves catenaries (curves formed by a hanging chain) and a straight line, with the key idea being to identify critical and conjugate points on the catenaries that determine the minimal surface. Complete with experiments verifying the theoretical findings, this book will appeal to those interested in variational calculus and differential geometry, showcasing an unexpected and intriguing application in the world of soap films.

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