The Cauchy-Schwarz Master Class: An Introduction to the Art of Mathematical Inequalities

by J. Michael Steele

Overview

Michael Steele describes the fundamental topics in mathematical inequalities and their uses. Using the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality as a guide, Steele presents a fascinating collection of problems related to inequalities and coaches readers through solutions, in a style reminiscent of George Polya, by teaching basic concepts and sharpening problem solving skills at the same time. Undergraduate and beginning graduate students in mathematics, theoretical computer science, statistics, engineering, and economics will find the book appropriate for self-study.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521546775
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/26/2004
Series:	MAA Problem Books
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	318
Product dimensions:	5.91(w) x 8.94(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

J. Michael Steele is C. F. Koo Professor of Statistics at Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of more than 100 mathematical publications including the books, Probability Theory and Combinatorial Optimization and Stochastic Calculus and Financial Applications. He is also the founding editor of the Annals of Applied Probability.

Table of Contents

1. Starting with Cauchy; 2. The AM-GM inequality; 3. Lagrange's identity and Minkowski's conjecture; 4. On geometry and sums of squares; 5. Consequences of order; 6. Convexity - the third pillar; 7. Integral intermezzo; 8. The ladder of power means; 9. Hölder's inequality; 10. Hilbert's inequality and compensating difficulties; 11. Hardy's inequality and the flop; 12. Symmetric sums; 13. Majorization and Schur convexity; 14. Cancellation and aggregation; Solutions to the exercises; Notes; References.

Editorial Reviews

"...this book is a 'must have' for a university's library, and I recommend it highly to its 'ideal audience.' Many other readers are also bound to discover a satisfying number of attractive and less than familiar results."
MAA Reviews

"I believe George Polya would enjoy reading this book, and I recommend it to both the novice and the sophisticate. It is a nice read."
Ingram Olkin, Stanford University for SIAM Review

"The book is special...A large mathematics department with a functional graduate program could easily consider to offer a master course based on this book."
Tamas Erdelyi, Journal of Approximation Theory

"This eminently readable book will be treasured not only by students and their teachers but also by all those who seek to make sense of the elusive macrocosm of twentieth-century mathematics."
Zentralblatt MATH

From the Publisher