Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences (alternative?)

[RaulTheUCSCSlug]

Is there any alternative books that teach you how to just do the problems rather than emphasizing why, and is there any books that emphasize why in an easier format? Something like a "mathematical methods for dummies" book?

This is the book I'm referring to ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471198269/?tag=pfamazon01-20 ) if you are not familiar with it and I personally think that the book is not the best. I dislike it. It seems to be in between of what could be two great books. Some of the problems are really great, some explanations are great, but other times it is a bit confusing and I can't decipher what they are saying.

I guess I'm looking for two book suggestions:
1.) Simple to read through and get core concepts ("explain to me as if I was 5" type of book)
2.) A good book with problems and solutions that go through the steps very clearly with a solution

Thank you for your recommendations.

I heard a book by Arfkin is good, does anyone know the name of the book?

 

[blue_leaf77]

This is the book I'm referring to ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471198269/?tag=pfamazon01-20 ) if you are not familiar with it and I personally think that the book is not the best.

I enjoyed that book during my undergrad. But I must admit that this book presents its content mostly in a readily-applicable-to-solve-physics-problem manner - it's a practical textbook in my opinion. The author does the derivations adjusted to how physics students will use the math to solve physical problem. Nevertheless, to me the explanations are clear and accessible as this book is largely designed for undergrads.

I heard a book by Arfkin is good, does anyone know the name of the book?

Probably you mean "Mathematical Methods for Physicists" by Arfken and Weber. I heard this book is also commonly used among physics students, but I don't know to which level of college it is aligned.

 

[RaulTheUCSCSlug]

I enjoyed that book during my undergrad. But I must admit that this book presents its content mostly in a readily-applicable-to-solve-physics-problem manner - it's a practical textbook in my opinion. .

Do you have a recommendation of any other mathematical methods books that would be a bit easier to comprehend? I feel myself getting lost in the jumps boas does from explaining the basic concepts to jumping straight to certain complex ideas with little explanation.

 

[smodak]

Boas is not my favorite either.

I like the classics
1. Morse &Feshbach
2. Courant & Hilberts
3. Mathews & Walker

But they are not very easy to read

Among modern books I like
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521679710/?tag=pfamazon01-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0387985794/?tag=pfamazon01-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0387989587/?tag=pfamazon01-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/048648212X/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[blue_leaf77]

Do you have a recommendation of any other mathematical methods books that would be a bit easier to comprehend?

This undergraduate book is more rigorous than Boas', since you appear to be looking for a more formal treatment for the derivations.