Self-Study Quantum Mechanics: Can I Do It w/ Poor Math Skills?

[entropy1]

Whole my life I have been interested in Quantum Physics. I have a bachelor degree in IT. I did not finish my studies.

I have always been quite sloppy in studying in school. As a result, my mathematics skills are terrible.

I often get pointed out on this forum that I better start with the basics of QM. I got the advice to read a book of D.J. Griffiths: "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics".

My question: given my very poor math skills, does it make sense to self-study quantum mechanics?

 

[Vanadium 50]

Books at that level assume a fluent understanding of calculus, and some familiarity with differential equations and linear algebra. If you have that much, you should be OK. If you don't, you will have difficulties.

 

[entropy1]

I have had that all in my studies, but have thrown the syllabuses way. Does it make sense to self-study all those things (which I should be able to catch up again fairly quickly) without a tutor?

 

[micromass]

Yes, that would make most sense.

 

[entropy1]

Okay. So does anyone have good advice as to what books I better start with?

 

[micromass]

https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/self-study-calculus/

 

[entropy1]

Thanks! Any good book on linear algebra??

 

[ZapperZ]

Since your intention here is not to study math, but rather study enough to understand and use it in your self-study QM effort, why not use a mathematical physics text? I've recommended Mary Boas's text many times, which had been written so that you may use it as a self-study book with only a sophomore level mathematics background.

Do a search on here for Mary Boas "Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences".

Zz.

 

[entropy1]

I'm planning on buying the book of Mary Boas. I want to practice the problems too. But is there a book with the answers to the problems? (So that I can check if I solved them correctly)

 

[ZapperZ]

Please note that there is a Students Solution Manual to Mary Boas's book. She included answers and some even full worked out problems that came from the book.

Zz.

 

[mountainnature]

MATHEMATICAL METHODS FOR PHYSICISTS A Comprehensive Guide SEVENTH EDITION George B. Arfken, Hans J. Weber, Frank E. Harris

 

[ZapperZ]

Arfken is a bit more advanced than Boas. While Boas is meant for students who had just completed all of their basic calculus courses, Arfken requires that you have a bit more knowledge of vector calculus etc. and as far as self study goes, Boas does a lot more verbal explanation than Arfken, especially in her solution manual.

I've used both extensively, so I'm intimately aware of both texts.

Zz.

 

[entropy1]

I'm not sure if either of them are available in my country and I don't have a credit card