What are some recommended textbooks for physics and math studies?

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Suggestions for physics and math textbooks focus on clarity and comprehensiveness. For physics, the Feynman Lectures are highly recommended, along with Halliday and Resnick's "Fundamentals of Physics," which is suitable for high school and university levels. "Conceptual Physics" by Hewitt is noted for its minimal math requirement. In mathematics, "First Course in Calculus" by Serge Lang is preferred for its depth, while "Stewart's Calculus" is criticized for lacking motivation and depth. "What is Mathematics" by Richard Courant is also suggested for a broader understanding. For those new to calculus, starting with Lang's book before progressing to Spivak's "Calculus" is advised, as it provides a solid foundation.
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I am currently looking for suggestions on physics and maths textbooks. The math textbook must cover calculus from the beginning. It can cover multiple subjects, or calculus-only, it does not matter as long as it is clear and easy to understand. The physics textbook must cover high school subjects. Preferably it will continue to cover university-level subjects as well. If one book can not cover both levels of physics subjects, I would be grateful if you could leave suggestions for multiple textbooks which cover high school and university level subjects between them.

Thank you.
 
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Hi balmung2! Welcome to PF.

For physics :

Feynman lectures (the best)
Fundamentals of Physics - Halliday Resnick(probably best suited for you)
Conceptual Physics - Hewitt (quite less math requirement)

Math:
First course in Calculus by Serge Lang (preferable)
Stewart's Calculus

Once you have done one of these, do Calculus by Michael Spivak, or Tom Apostol.
 
Hey Balmung,

For physics text, I second Infinitum's suggestion of Feynman's Lectures. For math books I suggest you start off with:
What is Mathematics - Richard Courant. This book covers a wide variety of subjects without losing depth in any.
If you just want to learn calculus use Spivak's Calculus.
I have to disagree with Infinitum's suggestion of Stewart's Calculus. The book does not motivate any discussions and does not convey why calculus works at all. It will only give you a superficial understanding of the material after you are through with it.
 
SolsticeFire said:
Hey Balmung,

For physics text, I second Infinitum's suggestion of Feynman's Lectures. For math books I suggest you start off with:
What is Mathematics - Richard Courant. This book covers a wide variety of subjects without losing depth in any.
If you just want to learn calculus use Spivak's Calculus.
I have to disagree with Infinitum's suggestion of Stewart's Calculus. The book does not motivate any discussions and does not convey why calculus works at all. It will only give you a superficial understanding of the material after you are through with it.

That's why I added a 'preferable' tag to Serge Lang's book, its way better. I think before you start out Spivak, unless you are quite good at math, you need to have a basic understanding of the subject, and Lang's book provides this quite perfectly.

Being a high school student, like the OP, I learned the calculus basics from Stewart before switching to Spivak, and now, though I absolutely hate Stewart, I find the things I learned assisting me through Spivak's book, but maybe that's just me...:smile:
 
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