Vector Analysis: Bridging Math and Physics with Rigor and Visuals

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The discussion centers on finding rigorous yet visually engaging resources for understanding vector analysis, appealing to both mathematicians and physicists. Recommendations include Marsden & Tromba's "Vector Calculus" and Bamberg & Sternberg's math methods book, despite their poor reviews on Amazon. Participants caution that negative reviews may stem from unprepared students rather than the quality of the texts. Additional suggestions for advanced study include works by Spivak, Munkres, and H. M. Edwards, with a note that familiarity with vector calculus is essential for tackling these books. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate resources for mastering vector analysis concepts.
ice109
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something for a mathematician that likes physics or a physicist that likes math. rigorous but with pictures and examples and the such?
 
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I like them both...especially the Bamberg&Sternberg one.
 
ice109 said:
the first one is a calc book apparently and has terrible reviews and the second one is a math methods book with terrible reviews but thanks anyway
I would take terrible reviews on Amazon.com with a grain of salt. Many of those reviews are by lazy, underprepared, or unprepared students who are looking to vent their frustrations with a book that they were not willing, ready or able to tackle. If none of those suggestions appeal to you, some standard textbooks for a second course in vector calculus / calculus on manifolds include Spivak, Calculus on Manifolds; Munkres, Analysis on Manifolds; C. H. Edwards, Advanced Calculus of Several Variables; and H. M. Edwards, Advanced Calculus: A Differential Forms Approach. Of those, the last book by H. M. Edwards is probably the closest to what you're looking for. But I would warn you that, since you cannot identify that vector analysis is the same as vector calculus or that it would likely be covered fairly extensively in a math methods book, you may not be adequately prepared to tackle any of these books.
 
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You might like
http://www1.mengr.tamu.edu/rbowen/
 
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Bowen's book posted by robphy is really good, if you're willing to deal with ugly typesetting and some typos. Edwards' book on advanced calculus with differential forms is a current project of mine, so I'll let you know how it goes. A more typical book on vector analysis though,is Marsden & Tromba's Vector Calculus. EDIT: which I just realized has already been posted. Sorry.

YET ANOTHER EDIT: If you'd like to learn about differential forms, here's a paper on the arXiv which was turned into a book: A Geometric Approach to Differential Forms
 
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