Elementary stability and bifurcation theory

the long version

This second edition has been substantially revised. Its purpose is to teach the theory of bifurcation of asymptotic solutions of evolution problems governed by nonlinear differential equations. It is written not only for mathematicians, but for the broadest audience of potentially interested learners, including engineers, biologists, chemists, physicists and economists. For this reason, it uses only well-known methods of classical analysis at a foundation level. Applications and examples are stressed throughout, and these were chosen to be as varied as possible.