Dirichlet's Principle, Conformal Mapping, and Minimal Surfaces

by Richard Courant

An examination of approaches to easy-to-understand but difficult-to-solve mathematical problems, this classic text begins with a discussion of Dirichlet's principle and the boundary value problem of potential theory, then proceeds to examinations of conformal mapping on parallel-slit domains and Plateau's problem. Also explores minimal surfaces with free boundaries and unstable minimal surfaces. 1950 edition.

343 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 1977

About the author

Richard Courant (January 8, 1888 – January 27, 1972) was a German American mathematician. He is best known by the general public for the book What is Mathematics?, co-written with Herbert Robbins.