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Differentiable Manifolds 34 (MATH M2900)

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Administrative Information

  1. Unit number and title: MATH M2900 Differentiable Manifolds 34
  2. Level: M/7
  3. Credit point value: 20 credit points
  4. Year: 12/13
  5. First Given in this form: 2008/9
  6. Unit Organiser: Jonathan Robbins
  7. Lecturer: Dr J M Robbins
  8. Teaching block: 1
  9. Prerequisites: MATH20100 Ordinary Differential Equations 2 plus either MATH20900 Calculus 2 or MATH20200 Analysis 2

Unit aims

To introduce the main tools of the theory of differentiable manifolds.

General Description of the Unit

A differentiable manifold is a space which looks locally like Euclidean space but which globally may not. Familiar examples include spheres, tori, regular level sets of functions f(x) on Rn , the group of invertible n x n matrices.

In the unit we develop the theory of vector fields, flows and differential forms mainly for Rn but with a view towards manifolds, in particular surfaces in R3.

The theory of differentiable manifolds extends ideas of calculus and analysis on Rn to these non-Euclidean spaces. An extensive subject in its own right, the theory is also basic to many areas of mathematics (eg, differential geometry, Lie groups, differential topology, algebraic geometry) and theoretical physics and applied mathematics (eg, general relativity, string theory, dynamical systems). It is one of the cornerstones of modern mathematical science.

Important elements in the theory are i)vector fields and flows, which provide a geometrical framework for systems of ordinary equations and generalise notions of linear algebra, and ii) differential forms and the exterior derivative. Differential forms generalise the line, area and volume elements of vector calculus, while the exterior derivative generalises the operations of grad, curl and divergence. The calculus of differential forms generalises and unifies a number of basic results (eg, multidimensional generalisations of the fundamental theorem of calculus: Green's theorem, Stokes' theorem, Gauss's theorem) whilst at the same time bringing to light their geometrical aspect.

 

Relation to Other Units

This unit is a more advanced version of the Level 6 unit, Differentiable Manifolds 3.  The lectures for Differentiable Manifolds 3 and Differentiable Manifolds 34 are the same, but the problem sheets and examination questions for Differentiable Manifolds 34 are more challenging.  Students may NOT take both Differentiable Manifolds 3 and Differentiable Manifolds 34.

The material on Stokes' theorem is relevant to simplicial homology, which is treated in the Level 7 unit Algebraic Topology from a different point of view.  The unit complements material in Topics in Modern Geometry 34 (MATHM0008, 10cp) and Lie groups, Lie algebras and their representations (MATHM0012, 10cp).


Teaching Methods

Lectures, problem sheets.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the unit students should:

  • Know and understand the definition of vector fields and flows; be able to calculate flows for simple examples.
  • Know and understand the definition of the Jacobi bracket, be able to derive its properties and compute it in examples.
  • Know and understand Frobenius integrability theorem and its proof, and be able to apply it to systems for first order PDE's
  • Have facility with exterior algebra or forms, including the wedge product.
  • Have facility with the calculus of differential forms, including the wedge product and exterior derivative
  • Know and understand the Poincaré lemma and its proof, and be able to apply it
  • Know and understand Stokes' theorem for singular cells and its proof; be able to apply it; be familiar with its extension to manifolds.
  • Be able to apply the material in the unit to unseen situations

Assessment Methods

The final assessment mark for Differentiable Manifolds 34 is calculated from a 2½-hour written examination in April consisting of FIVE questions. A candidate's best FOUR answers will be used for assessment. Calculators are NOT permitted be used in this examination.

Note that the examination for Differentiable Manifolds 34 is different from the examination for Differentiable Manifolds 3, and will be of a standard appropriate to a Level 7 unit.

Award of Credit Points

Credit points are gained by:

  • either passing the unit (i.e. getting a final assessment mark of 50 or more) 
  • or getting a final assessment of 30 or over, and also handing in satisfactory attempts at 6 of the weekly problem sheets.

Transferable Skills

Mathematical skills: Knowledge of differentiable manifolds; facility with differential forms, tensor calculus, connections; geometrical reasoning

General skills: Problem solving and logical analysis; Assimilation and use of complex and novel ideas

Texts

  1. JH and BB Hubbard, "Vector calculus, linear algebra and differential forms: A unified approach", 2 ed, Prentice Hall
  2. B Schutz, Geometrical methods in mathematical physics, Cambridge University Press
  3. W Darling, Differential forms and Connections, Cambridge University Press
  4. M Spivak, A comprehensive introduction to differential geometry, vol 1, Publish or Perish, Berkeley.
  5. V Arnold, Mathematical methods of classical mechanics, Springer-Verlag.

The books by Spivak and Arnold are more advanced. Spivak in particular is a good comprehensive reference.

Syllabus

  • Vector fields, flows and diffeomorphisms [~5 weeks]: Maps and diffeomorphisms on Rn. ODE's, vector fields, and flows.  Jacobi bracket. Frobenius integrability theorem. Parameterized surfaces in R3 and Bonnet's theorem [nonexaminable]
  • Differential forms [~3 weeks]: Tensors. Exterior algebra. Wedge product. Differential forms. Exterior derivative. Poincaré Lemma.
  • Stokes' Theorem [~2 weeks]: Integration of forms. Cells and boundaries. Stokes' Theorem. Gauss-Bonnet theorem (nonexaminable).