Nonlinear Functional Analysis and its Application III.: Variational Methods and Optimization.

The fourth of a five-volume exposition of the main principles of nonlinear functional analysis and its applications to the natural sciences, economics, and numerical analysis. The presentation is self-contained and accessible to the non-specialist, and topics covered include applications to mechanics, elasticity, plasticity, hydrodynamics, thermodynamics, statistical physics, and special and general relativity including cosmology. The book contains a detailed physical motivation of the relevant basic equations and a discussion of particular problems which have played a significant role in the development of physics and through which important mathematical and physical insight may be gained. It combines classical and modern ideas to build a bridge between the language and thoughts of physicists and mathematicians. Many exercises and a comprehensive bibliography complement the text.