Recommendation for Mathematics for Physicist and Engineers book

[trv]

Hi,

I'm a graduate with a BSc in Physics and MSc in Systems Engineering which I graduated from about 10 years ago. I'm trying to do some prep work in Mathematics with the intention of potentially doing an MSc in Computer Science, but also out of an interest in working through some of the Physics texts from my undergraduate days.

With this in mind I've been trying to work through my copy of Boas' Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences. I'm finding the explanations quite difficult to follow however. Can someone recommend an alternative?

I've come across two potential books:
1) Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering by Riley, Hobson and Bence

https://www.cambridge.org/higheredu...ing/FC466374D5B94E86D969100070CA6483#contents

2) Mathematics for Physicists by Martin and Shaw
https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9780470660225

Which seems to be a recommended text at the University of Manchester which I understand is one of the better Physics Depts. in the UK. I did try and check a few others, but not all of them include details of the recommended texts.

Any thoughts on the above books? I'm leaning towards the first option, but would appreciate any other recommendations.

 

[berkeman]

I can personally recommend this textbook by Blennow:

https://www.amazon.com/Mathematical...attias-ebook/dp/B086H3LMZF/?tag=pfamazon01-20

And it turns out PF has a close connection with the author... https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/the-birth-of-a-textbook/

 

[Muu9]

I can personally recommend this textbook by Blennow:

View attachment 358935
https://www.amazon.com/Mathematical...attias-ebook/dp/B086H3LMZF/?tag=pfamazon01-20

And it turns out PF has a close connection with the author... https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/the-birth-of-a-textbook/

That's much more advanced than Boas.

OP, check out the book "Advanced Engineering Mathematics" by kreyszig

 

[TensorCalculus]

1) Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering by Riley, Hobson and Bence

https://www.cambridge.org/higheredu...ing/FC466374D5B94E86D969100070CA6483#contents

I've studied this one - it was really engaging and I think it covers a really large range of topics, but I'd recommend it more as a reference than something to learn from.
It is really good though!

 

[WWGD]

I suggest Trefor Bazett's videos to complement your studies


Maybe give it a try to see if it fits with your approach. I used it to review a couple of things.

 

[dyn]

Both books in the OP are great. If you want simpler explanations than Boas then Martin & Shaw is the book for you. RHB is at a higher level and covers much more. If you get both books they will take you from pre-Boas to post-Boas

 

[trv]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I’ve gone with Riley, Hobson and Bence mainly for the fact that it comes with a student solutions manual. I’ll see how I get on and might supplement it with Martin and Shaw as one of you has pointed out that it's a bit lower level than Boas. Luckily these seem a bit of the more affordable side since they're published here in the UK.