Carl M. Bender (Advanced Mathematical Methods )

[Runei]

Hello all,

I just bought the book "Advanced Mathematical Methods for Scientists and Engineers - Asymptotic Methods and Perturbation Theory".

I was wondering if anyone know about a solutions manual for the book? I would like to work through some of the problems while I go through the book, but it would make it a bit more easy to have a reference, to see if I solve the problems correctly.

I haven't been able to find anything so far on the web. How do you go about solving problems in a textbook without a solutions reference?

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Might be worth contacting the publisher?

 

[Cygnus_A]

If you haven't checked out his perimeter institute lectures on youtube already, those may be a good supplement to the book. I think someone in the comments said that there were no solutions and that the problems were hard.

You can always discuss problems on physicsforums and/or stack exchange... though sometimes people don't respond if it's a hard problem. I'd be interested in hearing more on solving problems without solutions too :P Using multiple resources might be necessary, depending on the level of the book.

 

[Runei]

I contacted Carl Bender himself and he told me that he only provided solutions to teachers and only selected problems. He also told me that solutions would not be posted on the internet, since he did not want that.

So we are left to fend for ourselves :)

As you say, I will likely try to use Physicsforums, Stackexchange and sometimes even WolframAlpha.

And yes, I've seen (some of) his lectures on Youtube and I agree they would be a good supplement.

 

[Cygnus_A]

Let us know how you like the book, too... I was considering getting it (but decided I have enough on my kitty-plate for the moment)

 

[Orion Pax]

Hi there.
I also contacted Bender some time ago, as I was looking for some practice material for his Perimeter course. He recommended his book ( which by the way, I find to be fantastic). I'm just having a bit of a hard time pinpointing the relevant exercises to his course, because some of the concepts are mentioned in different parts of the book. Would anybody have any knowledge they cud share on that? Thanks in advance.

 

[Runei]

Have to admit I haven't had time to look at it yet. Too much work at my job and with my study. This semester it looks more promising and I'll see if I can spend some time.

I'm not sure about the best way to approach it if his lectures use concepts from around the book. Perhaps one way would be to treat them separately and then use the lectures as a sort of "insipiration" to the Mathematical Physics and how to use different concepts, but work the book in straight forward manner - Read a chapter. Do a few exercises. Repeat. And then once in a while perhaps go back and do an exercise in already completed chapters for refreshment.

One could perhaps take notes from his lectures about concepts that were unclear. While doing the book exercises I would hope that links and associations to what he said in the lectures will arise.

I think the main source of knowledge is the book. To me, lectures are more a way to give an overview and to link different areas of the material, but without imparting much knowledge.

 

[Orion Pax]

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep it in mind. I'm also having time issues, that's why i tried to make the most out of his lectures without relying too much on the book. Otherwise it's one of those books you'd want to read back to back. After reviewing the notes I took of his lectures, it's given me a much clearer picture of what he was trying to do with the limited time he had. It's also helped me get a better picture of the structure of the book. For now I think I'll just work on the areas of the book that have been directly covered in the lectures. I'll leave the rest for later.