Introduction to Functional Differential Equations

Partial differential equations are fundamental to the modeling of natural phenomena. The desire to understand the solutions of these equations has always had a prominent place in the efforts of mathematicians and has inspired such diverse fields as complex function theory, functional analysis, and algebraic topology.

Partial differential equations are fundamental to the modeling of natural phenomena. The desire to understand the solutions of these equations has always had a prominent place in the efforts of mathematicians and has inspired such diverse fields as complex function theory, functional analysis, and algebraic topology. This book, meant for a beginning graduate audience, provides a thorough introduction to partial differential equations.

Partial differential equations are fundamental to the modeling of natural phenomena. The desire to understand the solutions of these equations has always had a prominent place in the efforts of mathematicians and has inspired such diverse fields as complex function theory, functional analysis, and algebraic topology.

This book covers the most important issues in the theory of functional differential equations and their applications for both deterministic and stochastic cases. Among the subjects treated are qualitative theory, stability, periodic solutions, optimal control and estimation, the theory of linear equations, and basic principles of mathematical modelling. The work, which treats many concrete problems in detail, gives a good overview of the entire field and will serve as a stimulating guide to further research.

The book covers many topics in the theory of functional differential equations: key questions of the general theory, boundary value problems (both linear and nonlinear), control problems (with both classic and impulse control), stability problems, calculus of variations problems, computer-assisted techniques for studying the problems mentioned. The main feature of the book as compared to others is a very clear and unified point of view based on the authors' concept of abstract functional differential equations (AFDEs).

This textbook provides beginning graduate students and advanced undergraduates with an accessible introduction to the rich subject of partial differential equations (PDEs). It presents a rigorous and clear explanation of the more elementary theoretical aspects of PDEs, while also drawing connections to deeper analysis and applications.