For physics students interested in the mathematics they use, and for math students interested in seeing how some of the ideas of their discipline find realization in an applied setting. The presentation strikes a balance between formalism and application, between abstract and concrete. The interconnections among the various topics are clarified both by the use of vector spaces as a central unifying theme, recurring throughout the book, and by putting ideas into their historical context. Enough of the essential formalism is included to make the presentation self-contained.

An engagingly-written account of mathematical tools and ideas, this book provides a graduate-level introduction to the mathematics used in research in physics. The first half of the book focuses on the traditional mathematical methods of physics – differential and integral equations, Fourier series and the calculus of variations. The second half contains an introduction to more advanced subjects, including differential geometry, topology and complex variables. The authors' exposition avoids excess rigor whilst explaining subtle but important points often glossed over in more elementary texts. The topics are illustrated at every stage by carefully chosen examples, exercises and problems drawn from realistic physics settings. These make it useful both as a textbook in advanced courses and for self-study. Password-protected solutions to the exercises are available to instructors at www.cambridge.org/9780521854030.

This unique book complements traditional textbooks by providing a visual yet rigorous survey of the mathematics used in theoretical physics beyond that typically covered in undergraduate math and physics courses. The exposition is pedagogical but compact, and the emphasis is on defining and visualizing concepts and relationships between them, as well as listing common confusions, alternative notations and jargon, and relevant facts and theorems. Special attention is given to detailed figures and geometric viewpoints. Certain topics which are well covered in textbooks, such as historical motivations, proofs and derivations, and tools for practical calculations, are avoided. The primary physical models targeted are general relativity, spinors, and gauge theories, with notable chapters on Riemannian geometry, Clifford algebras, and fiber bundles.

Mathematical physics plays an important role in the study of many physical processes — hydrodynamics, elasticity, and electrodynamics, to name just a few. Because of the enormous range and variety of problems dealt with by mathematical physics, this thorough advanced undergraduate- or graduate-level text considers only those problems leading to partial differential equations. Contents: I. Classification of Partial Differential Equations II. Evaluations of the Hyperbolic Type III. Equations of the Parabolic Type IV. Equations of Elliptic Type V. Wave Propagation in Space VI. Heat Conduction in Space VII. Equations of Elliptic Type (Continuation) The authors — two well-known Russian mathematicians — have focused on typical physical processes and the principal types of equations dealing with them. Special attention is paid throughout to mathematical formulation, rigorous solutions, and physical interpretation of the results obtained. Carefully chosen problems designed to promote technical skills are contained in each chapter, along with extremely useful appendixes that supply applications of solution methods described in the main text. At the end of the book, a helpful supplement discusses special functions, including spherical and cylindrical functions.

Graduate-level text offers unified treatment of mathematics applicable to many branches of physics. Theory of vector spaces, analytic function theory, theory of integral equations, group theory, and more. Many problems. Bibliography.

This textbook is a comprehensive introduction to the key disciplines of mathematics - linear algebra, calculus, and geometry - needed in the undergraduate physics curriculum. Its leitmotiv is that success in learning these subjects depends on a good balance between theory and practice. Reflecting this belief, mathematical foundations are explained in pedagogical depth, and computational methods are introduced from a physicist's perspective and in a timely manner. This original approach presents concepts and methods as inseparable entities, facilitating in-depth understanding and making even advanced mathematics tangible. The book guides the reader from high-school level to advanced subjects such as tensor algebra, complex functions, and differential geometry. It contains numerous worked examples, info sections providing context, biographical boxes, several detailed case studies, over 300 problems, and fully worked solutions for all odd-numbered problems. An online solutions manual for all even-numbered problems will be made available to instructors.