Differential Geometry of Curves and Surfaces, Second Edition takes both an analytical/theoretical approach and a visual/intuitive approach to the local and global properties of curves and surfaces. Requiring only multivariable calculus and linear algebra, it develops students’ geometric intuition through interactive computer graphics applets supported by sound theory.
The book explains the reasons for various definitions while the interactive applets offer motivation for certain definitions, allow students to explore examples further, and give a visual explanation of complicated theorems. The ability to change parametric curves and parametrized surfaces in an applet lets students probe the concepts far beyond what static text permits.
New to the Second Edition
- Reworked presentation to make it more approachable
- More exercises, both introductory and advanced
- New section on the application of differential geometry to cartography
- Additional investigative project ideas
- Significantly reorganized material on the Gauss–Bonnet theorem
- Two new sections dedicated to hyperbolic and spherical geometry as applications of intrinsic geometry
- A new chapter on curves and surfaces in Rn
Suitable for an undergraduate-level course or self-study, this self-contained textbook and online software applets provide students with a rigorous yet intuitive introduction to the field of differential geometry. The text gives a detailed introduction of definitions, theorems, and proofs and includes many types of exercises appropriate for daily or weekly assignments. The applets can be used for computer labs, in-class illustrations, exploratory exercises, or self-study aids.
Table of Contents:
Plane Curves: Local Properties. Plane Curves: Global Properties. Curves in Space: Local Properties. Curves in Space: Global Properties. Regular Surfaces. The First and Second Fundamental Forms. The Fundamental Equations of Surfaces. The Gauss–Bonnet Theorem and Geometry of Geodesics. Curves and Surfaces in n-Dimensional Euclidean Space. Appendix.
About the Author :
Thomas F. Banchoff is a geometer and a professor at Brown University. Dr. Banchoff was president of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) from 1999 to 2000. He has published numerous papers in a variety of journals and has been the recipient of many honors, including the MAA’s Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Award and Brown’s Teaching with Technology Award. He is the author of several books, including Linear Algebra Through Geometry with John Wermer and Beyond the Third Dimension.
Stephen T. Lovett is an associate professor of mathematics at Wheaton College. Dr. Lovett has taught introductory courses on differential geometry for many years, including at Eastern Nazarene College. He has given many talks over the past several years on differential and algebraic geometry as well as cryptography. In 2015, he was awarded Wheaton’s Senior Scholarship Faculty Award. He is the author of Abstract Algebra: Structures and Applications and Differential Geometry of Manifolds.
Review :
Praise for the First Edition:"… a complete guide for the study of classical theory of curves and surfaces and is intended as a textbook for a one-semester course for undergraduates …The main advantages of the book are the careful introduction of the concepts, the good choice of the exercises, and the interactive computer graphics, which make the text well-suited for self-study. …The access to online computer graphics applets that illustrate many concepts and theorems presented in the text provides the readers with an interesting and visually stimulating study of classical differential geometry. … I strongly recommend [this book and Differential Geometry of Manifolds] to anyone wishing to enter into the beautiful world of the differential geometry."
—Velichka Milousheva, Journal of Geometry and Symmetry in Physics, 2012
"Students and professors of an undergraduate course in differential geometry will appreciate the clear exposition and comprehensive exercises in this book … Some of the more interesting theorems explore relationships between local and global properties. A special feature is the availability of accompanying online interactive java applets coordinated with each section. The applets allow students to investigate and manipulate curves and surfaces to develop intuition and to help analyze geometric phenomena."
—L’Enseignement Mathématique (2) 57 (2011)
"… an intuitive and visual introduction to the subject is beneficial in an undergraduate course. This attitude is reflected in the text. The authors spent quite some time on motivating particular concepts and discuss simple but instructive examples. At the same time, they do not neglect rigour and precision. … As a distinguishing feature to other textbooks, there is an accompanying web page containing numerous interactive Java applets. … The applets are well-suited for use in classroom teaching or as an aid to self-study."
—Hans-Peter Schröcker, Zentralblatt MATH 1200
"Coming from intuitive considerations to precise definitions the authors have written a very readable book. Every section contains many examples, problems and figures visualizing geometric properties. The understanding of geometric phenomena is supported by a number of available Java applets. This special feature distinguishes the textbook from others and makes it recommendable for self studies too. … highly recommendable …"
—F. Manhart, International Mathematical News, August 2011
"… the authors succeeded in making this modern view of differential geometry of curves and surfaces an approachable subject for advanced undergraduates."
—Andrew Bucki, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2011h
"… an essential addition to academic library mathematical studies instructional reference collections, as well as an ideal classroom textbook."
—Midwest Book Review, May 2011
