Will Pure Mathematics Benefit My Physics Studies?

[brainy kevin]

I've been interested in math and physics, and I already have a pretty good list of pure math books I'm going to read. (I'm about to start Spivak's "Calculus".) However, I also want to learn about physics, so I would like some recommendations for math books that are more "computational". I'm not requesting "dumbed down" books, just ones geared more towards physics. I would specifically like books on calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. Thank you for your help.

 

[Howers]

Dumbed down and computational are equivalent in mathematics. Spivak, and any other "pure" math book still teaches computation, so if you complete it you will be ready for physics. We physicists use computational books because we don't have time to learn it the pure/proper way, because the pure way is too slow and we don't really need it. Once you are in college, you will understand how we're already using multivariable calc before single var calc is completed. There is nothing unique in computation books other than more practice problems and less rigour. But here you are anyway:

Calc - Stewart or THomas
Linear algebra - lang
ODE - boyce and diprima

Or try an "all in one" book, mathemtics for physical sciences by boas.

 

[brainy kevin]

Thanks Howers. What I really want to know then is if pure mathematics will help me if I decide I want to start studying physics. That's all I need to know about computational math textbooks.