Starting with the basic notions and facts of the mathematical theory of
waves illustrated by numerous examples, exercises, and methods of
solving typical problems Chapters 1 & 2 show e.g. how to recognize the
hyperbolicity property, find characteristics, Riemann invariants and
conservation laws for quasilinear systems of equations, construct and
analyze solutions with weak or strong discontinuities, and how to
investigate equations with dispersion and to construct travelling wave
solutions for models reducible to nonlinear evolution equations.
Chapter 3 deals with surface and internal waves in an incompressible
fluid. The efficiency of mathematical methods is demonstrated on a
hierarchy of approximate submodels generated from the Euler equations of
homogeneous and non-homogeneous fluids.
The self-contained presentations of the material is complemented by 200+
problems of different level of difficulty, numerous illustrations, and
bibliographical recommendations.