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tomatoyeung
Aug23-09, 07:04 AM
Hello~
Everyone~
I am a new member,
Nice to meet you~

I like physics and mathematics.
I don't care the mathematical theorem,
(Such as the limit theorem, I think which is not very useful in application)
but I want to know the mathematics for Physics.

Any books is suitable for me??
May I have your recommendation??

Thank you very much.

rubrix
Aug23-09, 08:55 AM
can you tell us what Mathematics courses you have completed (or will be working on this coming term)? imo you should at least be done with Calc I (limits & derivatives) , Calc II (integrals), Calc III (multivariate), and Introductory Differential Equations (ODE mainly)...and if possible a Linear Algebra course too.

tomatoyeung
Aug23-09, 09:26 AM
Thank you for your reply.

I am a Hong Kong F.6 Student.
If follow the programme of HK .
I learned the calculate of limit(not the proof and detail theorem),
and the single variable derivatives and integrals.(haven't learn substitution yet)
I know the coming year will teach Linear Algebra,substitution etc.
I want to learn more by myself, but I want to skip the pure maths theorem (such as the detail proof of the limit theorem ,something like that).
I want to learn the maths which can directly applied on the actual problem.

I know that some books are written for physics and engineering.
Which do not include too many pure maths theorem.
Is any good choice in such types of books?

And I feel sorry for my poor English.

Thank you.

Pinu7
Aug23-09, 11:34 PM
Physics needs mathematics like a poet needs English.

If you want to skip the proofs(which I wont recomend), that is up to you. However, Physical theorems are full of difficult mathematical proofs which are essential to understand. If you don't like this, don't be a physicist.

You should take an unabridged course in:
Calculus(differentiation, integration, multivariate, vector)
Linear Algebra(2-semesters worth. You should know both matrix stuff and advanced things like hermition/unitary operators.)
Advanced Calculus Course(Great for mathematical perspectiv

And then you can try watered down math.

t00dles23
Aug24-09, 05:35 AM
Mathematical Methods in the Physics Sciences by Mary Boas seems to be what you're looking for.

tomatoyeung
Aug24-09, 06:25 AM
Of course I have confidence in Maths.
I will try to pay more patience to finish the mathematical parts.

Thank you for the recommendation.

hitmeoff
Aug28-09, 02:35 AM
Mathematical Methods in the Physics Sciences by Mary Boas seems to be what you're looking for.

I second this. Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences by Boas has a lot of math and it is very light on proofs. This is the exact book you are looking for.