What Are the Best E-Books for Engineering and Physics This Summer?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the selection of e-books for studying advanced topics in engineering and physics, particularly string theory and quantum mechanics. Key recommendations include "Handbook of Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists," "Linear Algebra Done Right" by Axler, and "Vector Calculus" by Marsden and Tromba. Participants emphasize the necessity of foundational mathematics, including calculus and linear algebra, to comprehend advanced physics concepts. The consensus is that without a solid mathematical background, tackling these advanced topics will lead to frustration and hinder understanding.

PREREQUISITES
  • Calculus I, II, and III
  • Linear Algebra
  • Differential Equations
  • Basic Probability and Statistics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study "Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences" by M. Boas
  • Learn "Stewart's Calculus" for comprehensive calculus understanding
  • Explore introductory texts in quantum mechanics, such as "Griffiths' Introduction to Quantum Mechanics"
  • Research resources on differential geometry and its applications in physics
USEFUL FOR

Students aspiring to study advanced physics, particularly those interested in string theory and quantum mechanics, as well as educators and mentors guiding learners in mathematical foundations for physics.

  • #61
If you're really dedicated to learning the mathematics necessary for advanced physics, I know of a certain pure math book that is fairly remarkable in its depth and breadth of coverage.

It's called Advanced Calculus and is by Sternberg and Loomis. You can find a link to it for free in PDF form http://www.math.harvard.edu/~shlomo/" .

It assumes you know all the traditional material contained in a standard calculus sequence. It also assumes a truly unusual amount of mathematical maturity for students at the freshman level.

You must be very dedicated and willing to work hard to get through it, but it will take you through abstract linear algebra, rigorous single-variable and multivariable calculus, the foundations of the theory of integrals, and finally on to the calculus of manifolds using tensor analysis and multilinear algebra. It essentially contains an entire undergraduate education in analysis (and probably a bit of a graduate-level education in analysis as well at all but the most accelerated schools). It also has a section somewhat in the middle on differential equations.

Have fun! :smile:

As a side note, in my opinion this book is a prime example of how poor mathematics education is in the U.S. I find it sad that many people graduating with undergraduate degrees in mathematics in the U.S. would probably find much material in that book they don't know, even though it was intended to be used as a two- or three-semester analysis sequence for entering freshmen.
 
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  • #62
Really thank you but I still have one problem.
WHAT IS THE ORDER OF LEARNING THIS MATH STUFFS YOU SUGGESTED?
Excuse me.Its because I asked this question several times and nobody answered.
And I will really appreciate it if some one gives me PDFs about elementry geometry,analytic geometry and multi linear algebra.And I think for understanding relativity I need another kind of geometry,too.But I don't know the name.If some one introduces it to me I will thank him\her.
thanks in advanced
 
  • #64
http://arxiv.org/abs/math.HO/0405323"
 
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