Is the 3rd Edition of Art of Electronics Worth Upgrading From the 2nd?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparison between the 2nd and 3rd editions of "The Art of Electronics." Participants explore whether the newer edition offers significant improvements or changes that justify an upgrade, as well as the accessibility and prerequisites for understanding the content.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the first four chapters of the 3rd edition are similar to the 2nd edition, but significant changes occur thereafter.
  • One participant mentions that the new edition lacks examples of bad circuits, which they find valuable in the 2nd edition.
  • Concerns are raised about the high cost of the 3rd edition, making it less accessible for students.
  • Participants discuss the availability of a downloadable index and sample chapter from the publisher's website, suggesting that this can help assess the differences between editions.
  • There are inquiries about the level of calculus required to understand the book, with some suggesting that calculus 1 should suffice, though uncertainty remains about the presence of differential equations in the text.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the value of upgrading to the 3rd edition, with some asserting it is a different book while others appreciate the 2nd edition for its specific features. The discussion on calculus requirements also shows uncertainty, with no consensus on the exact prerequisites.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of clarity on specific content changes between editions and the potential need for additional mathematical skills that may not be explicitly stated in the discussion.

DrPapper
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Has anyone seen the newest edition? Is it much better than the 2nd? I own the 2nd but am interested in the newer one if it's better.
 
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It's a different book. First four chapters are more or less the same. Then it... forks.
You can download the index and a sample chapter (chapter 9) from the publisher's website - and if you look on the web you will find a dropbox account with the same file and the blessing of Winfield Hill.
Confront the new chapter 9 with the old chapter 6 and you'll get an idea of how much it has changed.

I have the second edition, and I will not get rid of it now that I have the third.

P.S.
If you can, wait for the first reprint to have these http://artofelectronics.net/errata/ fixed.
(and maybe they will call kelvins just "kelvins" and not "degrees kelvin")
 
Last edited:
one thing about the new edition is that it doesn't show examples of bad circuits I'm also keeping my second edition for not only that reason but because I now have the student manual for it.
 
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Is it available?

What a shame! I bought the second edition earlier this year.

*****after checking amazon******

Wow, Rs. 8659. Must be imported edition. But can't they make it cheaper. Rs. 8659 is too high for students like me, to afford. That's practically a salary for teachers in some institutions.
 
SredniVashtar said:
It's a different book. First four chapters are more or less the same. Then it... forks.
You can download the index and a sample chapter (chapter 9) from the publisher's website - and if you look on the web you will find a dropbox account with the same file and the blessing of Winfield Hill.
Confront the new chapter 9 with the old chapter 6 and you'll get an idea of how much it has changed.

I have the second edition, and I will not get rid of it now that I have the third.

P.S.
If you can, wait for the first reprint to have these http://artofelectronics.net/errata/ fixed.
(and maybe they will call kelvins just "kelvins" and not "degrees kelvin")
How much calculus is required for understanding the book? Does it require skills past calculus 1? Are there any other prerequisites for understanding this book?
 
not sure if there are any diff eq in the book, calc 1 should be all you need. how do I know this o0) ?
 
thankz said:
not sure if there are any diff eq in the book, calc 1 should be all you need. how do I know this o0) ?
Thank you thankz
 

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