- #61
Buffu
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He hates determinants. Think twice before using that book.enrev91 said:
What are you reading now? (STEM only)
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- Thread starter Demystifier
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Discussion Overview
The thread discusses various STEM books that participants are currently reading or have recently read. The focus is on personal experiences with these texts, including their structure, readability, and relevance to teaching or learning specific topics in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
- Homework-related
Main Points Raised
- Some participants mention reading "Physical Fluid Dynamics" by D. J. Tritton, appreciating its structure and readability for teaching purposes.
- J. MacCormick's "Nine Algorithms That Changed the Future" is noted for its accessible explanation of widely used computer algorithms.
- Several participants are exploring literature related to general relativity and cosmology, referencing works by S. Weinberg and others, indicating a need for clarity in creating lecture problems.
- There are mentions of various calculus and mathematical physics texts, including Apostol's "Calculus" and Zee's "Gravitation," with participants expressing varying levels of difficulty and enjoyment.
- Some participants are reading books on reinforcement learning and mathematical physics from a geometric algebra perspective, with concerns about the complexity of the material.
- Gilbert Strang's linear algebra book is highlighted for its intuitive approach, while some participants express challenges with other physics texts like Purcell's "Electricity and Magnetism."
- Discussions also touch on the relevance of foundational texts in geometry by David Hilbert, particularly in relation to automatic theorem proving.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of opinions about the readability and pedagogical effectiveness of various texts, with some finding certain books challenging while others appreciate their depth. No consensus is reached regarding the best approach to learning from these texts.
Contextual Notes
Participants note varying levels of prior knowledge in mathematics and physics, which influences their experiences with the texts. Some express concerns about the complexity of the material and its presentation.
Who May Find This Useful
This discussion may be useful for students and educators in STEM fields looking for recommendations on reading materials and insights into the challenges of understanding complex subjects.
- #62
enrev91
- 4
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I'm taking a university course next semester that'll use determinants. So no worries-- I'm seeing both approaches.Buffu said:
- #63
mathwonk
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i suggest using shilov as a counterpoint/supplement to axler.I don't know if it speaks to anyone else, but I also benefited from writing my own linear algebra notes:
http://alpha.math.uga.edu/%7Eroy/laprimexp.pdf
This is an expanded version of my 15 page linear algebra book posted here some years ago, ratcheted up to over 125 pages. Basically instead of trying to make it as short as possible, this time I took my experience teaching bright youngsters to try to make it understandable. But the fact that it is still 1/2 or 1/3 the length of other books suggests it maybe still goes too much straight to the jugular. So probably it is recommended to someone who thinks he/she already knows the subject. I.e. I studied and taught the subject for years, and this is my take on it after rethinking it again for some years lately. So i suggest that if you think you already know linear algebra, as I thought i did, see if this treatment does not still challenge you a bit. If anyone does so, please let me know, (we authors get so little feedback and we need so much).
http://alpha.math.uga.edu/%7Eroy/laprimexp.pdf
This is an expanded version of my 15 page linear algebra book posted here some years ago, ratcheted up to over 125 pages. Basically instead of trying to make it as short as possible, this time I took my experience teaching bright youngsters to try to make it understandable. But the fact that it is still 1/2 or 1/3 the length of other books suggests it maybe still goes too much straight to the jugular. So probably it is recommended to someone who thinks he/she already knows the subject. I.e. I studied and taught the subject for years, and this is my take on it after rethinking it again for some years lately. So i suggest that if you think you already know linear algebra, as I thought i did, see if this treatment does not still challenge you a bit. If anyone does so, please let me know, (we authors get so little feedback and we need so much).
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- #64
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Eight Amazing Engineering Stories: Using the Elements to Create Extraordinary Technologies, by Bill Hammack
- #65
ElectricRay
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The legendary book Cosmos from Carl Sagan, nice book even though its a bit old.
- #66
Zurvan
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Reading and going through Quantum Field Theory for the Gifted Amateur by Lancaster and Blundel. So far it has been very enjoyable.
- #67
Coelum
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Melvin Schwartz's "Principles of Electrodynamics" -Demystifier said:
- #68
automotiveadam7
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Been cooking on "Basic Electricity", a "Reprint of the Bureau of Naval Personnel Training Manual". It's almost too thorough in some areas, but I'm likin' it.
- #69
DS2C
Algebra by Gelfand/Shen and Understanding Physics by Isaac Asimov
- #70
Dr Transport
Science Advisor
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Scattering of Electromagnetic Waves From Rough Surfaces, Beckman and Spizzchino...(for a new job coming in the next month or so)...
- #71
NathanaelNolk
- 85
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Finally doing some more advanced mathematics with 'Introduction to Smooth Manifolds' by John M. Lee. I also bought Tu's 'An Introduction to Manifolds' which was in the Springer yellow sale collection this year. So far it's been pretty enjoyable, a bit difficult considering I'm not at a grad level yet but I have friends going through the book too and Tu's book gives a nice alternate overview of the subject.
- #72
Salvador Sosa
- 10
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Right now I am reading the elegant universe by Brian Greene
- #73
FactChecker
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Linear and Geometric Algebra by Alan Macdonald.
Also watching youtube videos which go along with the text Introduction to Tensor Calculus and the Calculus of Moving Surfaces by Pavel Grinfeld. Very intuitive and slow paced -- excellent for casual learning (if you have the time). I'll get the book if the videos keep my interest to the end.
Also watching youtube videos which go along with the text Introduction to Tensor Calculus and the Calculus of Moving Surfaces by Pavel Grinfeld. Very intuitive and slow paced -- excellent for casual learning (if you have the time). I'll get the book if the videos keep my interest to the end.
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- #74
Joker93
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I am currently reading the review paper by Aharoni, Maldacena et al on AdS/CFT.
It's not a book, but I supplement it with Peskin and Schroeder(QFT), Zee's books on QFT and Gravity and QFT for the Gifted Amateur!
It's a blast reading from high-level sources and then going to some lower-level books to gain some intuition!
It's not a book, but I supplement it with Peskin and Schroeder(QFT), Zee's books on QFT and Gravity and QFT for the Gifted Amateur!
It's a blast reading from high-level sources and then going to some lower-level books to gain some intuition!
- #75
ElectricRay
- 73
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Just started on Apollo 13 by Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger. What an exciting time it must have been but the US did it even when it got wrong.
I hope in the near future mankind will start to travell again the the Moon and other placesbin our solar system. This year it will be 60 years Armstrong made his famous step on the Moon.
I hope in the near future mankind will start to travell again the the Moon and other placesbin our solar system. This year it will be 60 years Armstrong made his famous step on the Moon.
- #76
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Well one more year. It was July 1969.ElectricRay said:
- #77
ElectricRay
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Oops yes your 100% right. Made a mistake I was reading the part when they passed the moon which was Christmas 68.scottdave said:
- #78
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Yes, I believe Jim Lovell on was Apollo 8, which orbited the Moon, then returned.ElectricRay said:
- #79
penta-d
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I’m reading Warmth Disperses and Time Passes, by von Baeyer.
- #80
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I'm still fascinated with Duncan's QFT book 
- #81
DS2C
Reading How to Study as a Mathematics Major by Lara Alcock.
Although it's not my intention to major in Mathematics, I know that physics requires advanced mathematics which is why I thought this would be useful. I've learned a ton from it so far such as learning to treat things like processes as objects, and learning how to solve things without being provided examples, etc.
Although it's not my intention to major in Mathematics, I know that physics requires advanced mathematics which is why I thought this would be useful. I've learned a ton from it so far such as learning to treat things like processes as objects, and learning how to solve things without being provided examples, etc.
- #82
berkeman
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- #83
lekh2003
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Does the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy count?
If not, I'm reading "What is Life", by Schrödinger.
If not, I'm reading "What is Life", by Schrödinger.
- #84
CJ2116
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Slowly making my way through the 7th edition of Mathematical Methods for Physicists by Arfken/Weber/Harris.
- #85
MrRobotoToo
- 110
- 50
The most interesting thing I'm reading right now is "Feynman Lectures on Computation". I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a relaxed but insightful introduction to the theory of computation, among other things. Some other topics that he covers are the thermodynamics of computation, information theory, and quantum computing.
- #86
George Jones
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vanhees71 said:I'm still fascinated with Duncan's QFT book
Right now, Duncan is sitting on my desk, but ...
- #87
- #88
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But it depends somewhat on the bird! A raven seems to be pretty clever, while chicken are known to be somewhat limited...
- #89
CJ2116
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vanhees71 said:
I was eating on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, TX a few years ago. A duck walked over and grabbed/tugged on my jeans looking for food. I actually remember thinking that that was pretty brilliant. There are birds like crows and ravens that are really smart and can use tools. The duck obviously couldn't do that, but it did end up getting a free and easy meal in the end!
Just started reading Dreams of a Final Theory by Steven Weinberg. These kind of books definitely help keep me motivated when I feel like I've hit a wall!
- #90
opus
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True! But the cognitive abilities of birds vary in specialty. For an example, Crows understand the concept of metatools. That is, if they have a stick that is too short to grab a prize, they understand that they can use the short stick to get a longer stick which would ultimately get them what they're after. Pigeons can't do this, but their spatial intelligence in way up there. You can put them in a box, drive hundreds of miles away, and they'll fly back home with amazing accuracy. Another bird, and I don't remember the name, remembers where it stored over 600 items for as long as 6 months. Pretty nuts!vanhees71 said: