The aim of the present book is to give a systematic treatment of the inverse problem of the calculus of variations, i.e. how to recognize whether a system of differential equations can be treated as a system for extremals of a variational functional (the Euler-Lagrange equations), using contemporary geometric methods. Selected applications in geometry, physics, optimal control, and general relativity are also considered. The book includes the following chapters: - Helmholtz conditions and the method of controlled Lagrangians (Bloch, Krupka, Zenkov) - The Sonin-Douglas's problem (Krupka) - Inverse variational problem and symmetry in action: The Ostrogradskyj relativistic third order dynamics (Matsyuk.) - Source forms and their variational completion (Voicu) - First-order variational sequences and the inverse problem of the calculus of variations (Urban, Volna) - The inverse problem of the calculus of variations on Grassmann fibrations (Urban).

This monograph explores various aspects of the inverse problem of the calculus of variations for systems of ordinary differential equations. The main problem centres on determining the existence and degree of generality of Lagrangians whose system of Euler-Lagrange equations coicides with a given system of ordinary differential equations. The authors rederive the basic necessary and sufficient conditions of Douglas for second order equations and extend them to equations of higher order using methods of the variational bicomplex of Tulcyjew, Vinogradov, and Tsujishita. The authors present an algorithm, based upon exterior differential systems techniques, for solving the inverse problem for second order equations. a number of new examples illustrate the effectiveness of this approach.

This comprehensive text provides all information necessary for an introductory course on the calculus of variations and optimal control theory. Following a thorough discussion of the basic problem, including sufficient conditions for optimality, the theory and techniques are extended to problems with a free end point, a free boundary, auxiliary and inequality constraints, leading to a study of optimal control theory.

This book contains a series of papers on some of the longstanding research problems of geometry, calculus of variations, and their applications. It is suitable for advanced graduate students, teachers, research mathematicians, and other professionals in mathematics.

This book develops a variational method for solving linear equations with $B$-symmetric and $B$-positive operators and generalizes the method to nonlinear equations with nonpotential operators. The author carries out a constructive extension of the variational method to ``nonvariational'' equations (including parabolic equations) in classes of functionals which differ from the Euler-Lagrange functionals. In this connection, some new functions spaces are considered. Intended for mathematicians working in the areas of functional analysis and differential equations, this book would also prove useful for researchers in other areas and students in advanced courses who use variational methods in solving linear and nonlinear boundary value problems in continuum mechanics and theoretical physics.

This book, based on a selection of talks given at a dedicated meeting in Cortona, Italy, in June 2013, shows the high degree of interaction between a number of fields related to applied sciences. Applied sciences consider situations in which the evolution of a given system over time is observed, and the related models can be formulated in terms of evolution equations (EEs). These equations have been studied intensively in theoretical research and are the source of an enormous number of applications. In this volume, particular attention is given to direct, inverse and control problems for EEs. The book provides an updated overview of the field, revealing its richness and vitality.

The concepts and techniques presented in this volume originated from the fields of dynamics, statistics, control theory, computer science and informatics, and are applied to novel and innovative real-world applications. Over the past few decades, the use of dynamic systems, control theory, computing, data mining, machine learning and simulation has gained the attention of numerous researchers from all over the world. Admirable scientific projects using both model-free and model-based methods coevolved at today’s research centers and are introduced in conferences around the world, yielding new scientific advances and helping to solve important real-world problems. One important area of progress is the bioeconomy, where advances in the life sciences are used to produce new products in a sustainable and clean manner. In this book, scientists from all over the world share their latest insights and important findings in the field. The majority of the contributed papers for this volume were written by participants of the 3rd International Conference on Dynamics, Games and Science, DGSIII, held at the University of Porto in February 2014, and at the Berkeley Bioeconomy Conference at the University of California at Berkeley in March 2014. The aim of the project of this book “Modeling, Dynamics, Optimization and Bioeconomics II” follows the same aim as its companion piece, “Modeling, Dynamics, Optimization and Bioeconomics I,” namely, the exploration of emerging and cutting-edge theories and methods for modeling, optimization, dynamics and bioeconomy.

Inverse problems are immensely important in modern science and technology. However, the broad mathematical issues raised by inverse problems receive scant attention in the university curriculum. This book aims to remedy this state of affairs by supplying an accessible introduction, at a modest mathematical level, to the alluring field of inverse problems. Many models of inverse problems from science and engineering are dealt with and nearly a hundred exercises, of varying difficulty, involving mathematical analysis, numerical treatment, or modelling of inverse problems, are provided. The main themes of the book are: causation problem modeled as integral equations; model identification problems, posed as coefficient determination problems in differential equations; the functional analytic framework for inverse problems; and a survey of the principal numerical methods for inverse problems. An extensive annotated bibliography furnishes leads on the history of inverse problems and a guide to the frontiers of current research.