pp. 144. yellow and maroon printed wraps; rubbed edges; 144 clean, unmarked

pp. 144. yellow and maroon printed wraps; rubbed edges; 144 clean, unmarked pages/index. Catastrophe theory is a mathematical framework used to model how systems can undergo sudden, large changes in behavior despite continuous changes in their control parameters. Developed by René Thom in the 1960s, it explains phenomena like a building collapsing, water boiling, or an earthquake by showing how small, smooth changes can lead to an abrupt "catastrophe" or discontinuity in the system's state. These abrupt changes happen when the system's equilibrium points suddenly disappear or change stability.