Theory and Applications of Convolution Integral Equations

One service mathematics has rendered the 'Et moi ....• si favait su comment en revenir, je human race. It has put common sense back n'y serais point a1l6.' lules Verne where it belongs, on the topmost shelf next to the dusty eanister labelled 'discarded nonsense' . Erie T. Bell The series is divergent; therefore we may be able to do something with it O. Heaviside Mathematics is a tool for thought. A highly necessary tool in a world where both feedback and nonlineari­ ties abound. Similarly, all kinds of parts of mathematics serve as tools for other parts and for other sci­ ences. Applying a simple rewriting rule to the quote on the right above one finds such statements as: 'One ser­ vice topology has rendered mathematical physics .. .'; 'One service logic has rendered computer science .. .'; 'One service category theory has rendered mathematics .. .'. All arguably true. And all statements obtainable this way form part of the raison d'etre of this series. This series, Mathematics and Its Applications, started in 1977. Now that over one hundred volumes have appeared it seems opportune to reexamine its scope. At the time I wrote "Growing specia1ization and diversification have brought a host of monographs and textbooks on increasingly specialized topics. However, the 'tree' of knowledge of mathematics and It also happens, quite often in related fields does not grow only by putting forth new branches.

"This volume presents a state-of-the-art account of the theory and applications of the integral equations of convolution type, and of certain classes of integro-differential and non-linear integral equations. An extensive and well-motivated discussion of some open questions and of various important directions for further research is also presented. The book has been written so as to be self-contained, and includes a list of symbols with their definitions.

For users of convolution integral equations, the volume contains numerous, well-classified inversion tables which correspond to the various convolutions and intervals of integration. It also has an extensive, up-to-date bibliography. The convolution integral equations which are considered arise naturally from a large variety of physical situations and it is felt that the types of solutions discussed will be useful in many diverse disciplines of applied mathematics and mathematical physical.

For researchers and graduate students in the mathematical and physical sciences whose work involves the solution of integral equations."