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Term: Calculus of Variations

The calculus of variations is a branch of mathematics that deals with finding optimal paths, curves, or functions by minimizing or maximizing certain quantities. It involves studying variations of functionals, which are mappings from a function space to real numbers.

Sample Sentences:

1. The calculus of variations is used to find the shape of a soap bubble that minimizes its surface area for a given volume.
2. In engineering, the calculus of variations is employed to determine the most efficient path for a robot to navigate through obstacles.
3. By applying the principles of the calculus of variations, physicists can determine the path a light ray takes when traveling between two points in a medium.

Related Products:

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• Books on Calculus of Variations
• Variational Methods in Mathematics
• Applied Calculus of Variations