An Introduction to the Mathematical Theory of Waves

Linear and nonlinear waves are a central part of the theory of PDEs. This book begins with a description of one-dimensional waves and their visualization through computer-aided techniques. Next, traveling waves are covered, such as solitary waves for the Klein-Gordon and KdV equations. Finally, the author gives a lucid discussion of waves arising from conservation laws, including shock and rarefaction waves. As an application, interesting models of traffic flow are used to illustrate conservation laws and wave phenomena.
This book is based on a course given by the author at the IAS/Park City Mathematics Institute. It is suitable for independent study by undergraduate students in mathematics, engineering, and science programs.

"An interesting first reading on high analysis at an elementary level." ---- European Mathematical Society Newsletter

"The book offers a student an excellent introduction to some of the most interesting wave phenomena that have physical significance, and at the same time it also serves to explain some of the deeper mathematical issues that are involved. It can be recommended to all undergraduates who wish to learn something about physics wave phenomena of various types." ---- Mathematical Reviews

"The style of this book is not that of a typical textbook. For one, the very short sections (few exceed five pages in length) have a more interactive, conversational flavor rather than the usual "theorem-proof" style of most texts. This is not to say that it lacks in precision; far from it, in fact. Very carefully constructed short exercise lists occur frequently throughout the book and often times, immediately following a discussion of a difficult topic: they are not all collected and placed, out of context, at the end of the chapter. It is the intention that every exercise be completed as part of the journey through the material, and not simply to practice a technique. The problems are all very relevant to the material presented and many challenge the student to extend the theory he or she just learned in a slightly tangential direction. Also, a common theme in the text is to revisit the same problem at several different points in the book and each time investigate it more carefully using the theory just developed. This spiraling approach is very clever, and it instills in the reader a sense of what is going on. "The exposition of the material is very clear. All in all, this book provides a sturdy bridge from a course on ordinary differential equations, and so I would recommend it, without batting an eyelash, to any of my differential equations students who wish to continue their study independently. Further, I feel that it could be very useable as a text for a first course in partial differential equations. Kudos to Roger Knobel on having produced such a well-written and much-needed book!" -- ---- MAA Online