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The Mathematics of Soap Films: Explorations with Maple®

John Oprea Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
Available Formats:
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-8218-2118-3
Product Code: STML/10
List Price: $39.00 Individual Price:$31.20
Electronic ISBN: 978-1-4704-2127-4
Product Code: STML/10.E
List Price: $36.00 Individual Price:$28.80
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List Price: $58.50 Click above image for expanded view The Mathematics of Soap Films: Explorations with Maple® John Oprea Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH Available Formats:  Softcover ISBN: 978-0-8218-2118-3 Product Code: STML/10  List Price:$39.00 Individual Price: $31.20  Electronic ISBN: 978-1-4704-2127-4 Product Code: STML/10.E  List Price:$36.00 Individual Price: $28.80 Bundle Print and Electronic Formats and Save! This product is available for purchase as a bundle. Purchasing as a bundle enables you to save on the electronic version.  List Price:$58.50
• Book Details

Student Mathematical Library
Volume: 102000; 266 pp
MSC: Primary 49; 53;

Nature tries to minimize the surface area of a soap film through the action of surface tension. The process can be understood mathematically by using differential geometry, complex analysis, and the calculus of variations. This book employs ingredients from each of these subjects to tell the mathematical story of soap films.

The text is fully self-contained, bringing together a mixture of types of mathematics along with a bit of the physics that underlies the subject. The development is primarily from first principles, requiring no advanced background material from either mathematics or physics.

Through the Maple® applications, the reader is given tools for creating the shapes that are being studied. Thus, you can “see” a fluid rising up an inclined plane, create minimal surfaces from complex variables data, and investigate the “true” shape of a balloon. Oprea also includes descriptions of experiments and photographs that let you see real soap films on wire frames.

The theory of minimal surfaces is a beautiful subject, which naturally introduces the reader to fascinating, yet accessible, topics in mathematics. Oprea's presentation is rich with examples, explanations, and applications. It would make an excellent text for a senior seminar or for independent study by upper-division mathematics or science majors.

• Chapters
• Chapter 1. Surface tension
• Chapter 2. A quick trip through differential geometry and complex variables
• Chapter 3. The mathematics of soap films
• Chapter 4. The calculus of variations and shape
• Chapter 5. Maple, soap films and minimal surfaces

• Reviews

• Easy reading and it is a pleasure to follow the mathematics while looking at the corresponding pictures obtained by the use of [the software].

Mathematical Reviews
• This book attempts to fill a long-time gap in the literature, and in important ways, achieves a great success … a book like Oprea's has been sorely needed … includes physical and experimental motivation, together with accessible undergraduate mathematics, it could also be called soap bubble mathematics for the masses …

[The author] provides no more and no less than is necessary to completely derive the mathematical theory of minimal surfaces. Other strengths of the book include the breadth of topics … the amount of detail included in worked examples and the general readability. Finally the computer component is an added advantage … some nicely-developed explorations …

I am very enthusiastic about this book! It would make an excellent text for an undergraduate course in minimal surface theory. … Enough detail is included so that this book would also be suitable for an independent study. The next time I teach undergraduate differential geometry, my plan is to first teach a lead-in course using Oprea's book. This provides students with easy access to soap film mathematics …

MAA Online
• Requests

Review Copy – for reviewers who would like to review an AMS book
Permission – for use of book, eBook, or Journal content
Accessibility – to request an alternate format of an AMS title
Volume: 102000; 266 pp
MSC: Primary 49; 53;

Nature tries to minimize the surface area of a soap film through the action of surface tension. The process can be understood mathematically by using differential geometry, complex analysis, and the calculus of variations. This book employs ingredients from each of these subjects to tell the mathematical story of soap films.

The text is fully self-contained, bringing together a mixture of types of mathematics along with a bit of the physics that underlies the subject. The development is primarily from first principles, requiring no advanced background material from either mathematics or physics.

Through the Maple® applications, the reader is given tools for creating the shapes that are being studied. Thus, you can “see” a fluid rising up an inclined plane, create minimal surfaces from complex variables data, and investigate the “true” shape of a balloon. Oprea also includes descriptions of experiments and photographs that let you see real soap films on wire frames.

The theory of minimal surfaces is a beautiful subject, which naturally introduces the reader to fascinating, yet accessible, topics in mathematics. Oprea's presentation is rich with examples, explanations, and applications. It would make an excellent text for a senior seminar or for independent study by upper-division mathematics or science majors.

• Chapters
• Chapter 1. Surface tension
• Chapter 2. A quick trip through differential geometry and complex variables
• Chapter 3. The mathematics of soap films
• Chapter 4. The calculus of variations and shape
• Chapter 5. Maple, soap films and minimal surfaces
• Easy reading and it is a pleasure to follow the mathematics while looking at the corresponding pictures obtained by the use of [the software].

Mathematical Reviews
• This book attempts to fill a long-time gap in the literature, and in important ways, achieves a great success … a book like Oprea's has been sorely needed … includes physical and experimental motivation, together with accessible undergraduate mathematics, it could also be called soap bubble mathematics for the masses …

[The author] provides no more and no less than is necessary to completely derive the mathematical theory of minimal surfaces. Other strengths of the book include the breadth of topics … the amount of detail included in worked examples and the general readability. Finally the computer component is an added advantage … some nicely-developed explorations …

I am very enthusiastic about this book! It would make an excellent text for an undergraduate course in minimal surface theory. … Enough detail is included so that this book would also be suitable for an independent study. The next time I teach undergraduate differential geometry, my plan is to first teach a lead-in course using Oprea's book. This provides students with easy access to soap film mathematics …

MAA Online
Review Copy – for reviewers who would like to review an AMS book
Permission – for use of book, eBook, or Journal content
Accessibility – to request an alternate format of an AMS title
Please select which format for which you are requesting permissions.