Chaos: A Very Short Introduction

An introduction to chaotic behavior dynamics describes its behavior in both science and the real world.
Chaos theory is the study of the way tiny changes in the way things are now can have enormous consequences in the future. It is an intuitive idea, and yet one that is driving a profound new understanding of the physical sciences. Revealing the fascinating ways that chaos arises in the real world - from global warming and weather forecasting to gambling in casinos - Leonard Smith provides an accessible and up-to-date introduction to one of the most exciting and fast-growing areas in mathematics and science today.
Chaos exists in systems all around us. Even the simplest system can be subject to chaos, denying us accurate predictions of its behavior, and sometimes giving rise to astonishing structures of large-scale order. Here, Leonard Smith shows that we all have an intuitive understanding of chaotic systems. He uses accessible math and physics to explain Chaos Theory, and points to numerous examples in philosophy and literature that illuminate the problems. This book provides a complete understanding of chaotic dynamics, using examples from mathematics, physics, philosophy, and the real world, with an explanation of why chaos is important and how it differs from the idea of randomness. The author's real life applications include the weather forecast, a pendulum, a coin toss, mass transit, politics, and the role of chaos in gambling and the stock market. Chaos represents a prime opportunity for mathematical lay people to finally get a clear understanding of this fascinating concept.