Reader-friendly guide offers illustrative examples of the rules of physical science and how they were formulated. Topics include the role of mathematics as the language of physics; nature of mechanical vibrations; harmonic motion and shapes; geometry of the laws of motion; more. 60 figures. 1963 edition.

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.

Useful treatment of classical mechanics, electromagnetic theory, and relativity includes explanations of function theory, vectors, matrices, dyadics, tensors, partial differential equations, other advanced mathematical techniques. Nearly 200 problems with answers.

**WINNER OF THE 2020 NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS** The Road to Reality is the most important and ambitious work of science for a generation. It provides nothing less than a comprehensive account of the physical universe and the essentials of its underlying mathematical theory. It assumes no particular specialist knowledge on the part of the reader, so that, for example, the early chapters give us the vital mathematical background to the physical theories explored later in the book. Roger Penrose's purpose is to describe as clearly as possible our present understanding of the universe and to convey a feeling for its deep beauty and philosophical implications, as well as its intricate logical interconnections. The Road to Reality is rarely less than challenging, but the book is leavened by vivid descriptive passages, as well as hundreds of hand-drawn diagrams. In a single work of colossal scope one of the world's greatest scientists has given us a complete and unrivalled guide to the glories of the universe that we all inhabit. 'Roger Penrose is the most important physicist to work in relativity theory except for Einstein. He is one of the very few people I've met in my life who, without reservation, I call a genius' Lee Smolin

A classic treatise on partial differential equations, this comprehensive work by one of America's greatest early mathematical physicists covers the basic method, theory, and application of partial differential equations. In addition to its value as an introductory and supplementary text for students, this volume constitutes a fine reference for mathematicians, physicists, and research engineers. Detailed coverage includes Fourier series; integral and elliptic equations; spherical, cylindrical, and ellipsoidal harmonics; Cauchy's method; boundary problems; the Riemann-Volterra method; and many other basic topics. The self-contained treatment fully develops the theory and application of partial differential equations to virtually every relevant field: vibration, elasticity, potential theory, the theory of sound, wave propagation, heat conduction, and many more. A helpful Appendix provides background on Jacobians, double limits, uniform convergence, definite integrals, complex variables, and linear differential equations.

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 volume presents an unusually accessible introduction to equations fundamental to the investigation of waves, heat conduction, hydrodynamics, and other physical problems. Topics include derivation of fundamental equations, Riemann method, equation of heat conduction, theory of integral equations, Green's function, and much more. The only prerequisite is a familiarity with elementary analysis. 1964 edition.