How to learn the math needed for more advanced physics course?

[cuixiaohao]

Hi,there,
I'm a college student of physics from China, and I've taken most undergrad physics course. when I tried to study some graduate-level books and some journal papers, I got a problem in math .
In graduate level books (say, Jackson's for example), There are pages of math tricks I don't understand. I've taken a math-physics course and get some idea about Partial-diff equations and Bessel functions, etc. But when the equations can't use separate method, I don't know what to do with it. And in graduate level books, there are so many math tricks like magic.
My question is : Where did they get these math techniques? Should I get a more advanced math-physics course? or should I stick on one grad-book like Jackson's, and work more harder on it.
My college is not very good and it's hard to find a experienced person to ask. So I wonder is there anyone here who can do these math in ease will give me some help?

 

[verty]

Get a PDE book, you did a methods course so you should have enough general knowledge, now you just need to focus on PDE's and solving them. I got the impression from looking at Jackson before that you need to know how to solve linear PDE's before you attack it. I won't recommend a book because I expect foreign books are expensive.

Don't try harder with Jackson, that'll be like hitting your head against a wall harder. Get the PDE knowledge, then try again.

 

[cuixiaohao]

Thank you for your reply, I'll get a good PDE book and learn that first.