Mathematical Tools for Physics (Dover Books on Physics)

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is eager to study the intricate mathematics used in the study of modern day physics. The book covers a breadth of subjects which I will list below:1.Basic Stuff2.Infinite Series3.Complex Algebra4.Differential Equations5.Fourier Series6. Vector Spaces7.Operators and Matrices8.Multivariable Calculus9. Vector Calculus 110.Partial Differential Equations11. Numerical Analysis12. Tensors13. Vector Calculus 214. Complex Variables15. Fourier Analysis16. Calculus of Variations17.Densities and DistributionsI personally bought this during my senior year in high school, and loved every minute of studying from it. My school's curriculum was so boring and trite that I wanted to learn more(I had self studied other subjects in my junior year(probability theory, calculus, linear algebra, and multivariable calculus, etcetera...)), so when I got enough cash from savings I bought this book.The author only assumes that the reader knows only basic calculus(integration/differentiation) and develops the topics from there. Nearing is very careful to ease the reader into the subject matter, and so the proofs are quite simple, but as for mathematical rigor, the author notes that it is not his job to introduce the subject in such a forceful manner. So he goes with the more intuitive "proofs" and gives the reader careful hints and explanations to the results. This allows the reader to gain some more personal insights and develop their own theorems from the one's already given.The only gripe that some people may have is that Nearing only includes the occasional answer with problems, so if you are working independently you may want to seek the guidance of a professor to check your proofs, and then you can go on and work more or less independently. Of course if you already know how to write proofs then this book will be a wonderful introduction to the vast fields of mathematics used in modern physics.

I ordered this book after being impressed with its on-line version on the author's web site. For me, there is nothing like a printed copy for convenience and thumbing through. The online version is still very useful for the cross-references and other links.I also like supporting excellent teaching when it reflects a unique approach and deep understanding by the author; and this Dover edition accomplishes this at a very reasonable price.There are so many positive attributes to this book, but to me the one that makes this author's work so valuable is just seeing how he approaches his presentation and the insights his examples convey - this is teaching at the highest level, in my humble opinion.I only wish this book had been available 50 years ago when I first tackled the material - it would have been extremely helpful then! However, for my current review of material I've long since forgotten, and never learned well enough for my own satisfaction, it stands alone.I can't recommend this relatively compact, for the topics covered, book highly enough. I only hope that this excellent author produces a follow-on volume 2 some day, bringing his insights to additional advanced topics, such as those covered in The Geometry of Physics: An Introduction by Theodore Frankel (Paperback - Nov 24, 2003). Now, that would be a really useful addition to the Physics textbook literature.

good book

This is really a terrific book. It covers a wide variety of topics of interest to students (and fans) of physics including most of the key topics from my university undergraduate mathematics and physics courses. I learn (or relearn) something on almost every page, and subjects are presented in an engaging way with interesting connections to other topics. The book is not heavy on mathematical formalism, and if that's what you're after this may not be the book for you, however it is a highly enjoyable book for developing an understanding of the methods of mathematical physics. I've collected quite a few physics and math books over the years, but this book, along with Digital Filters by Richard Hamming, are the only ones I routinely recommend to my friends.

I studied under Dr. Nearing at the University of Miami. I bought this book because I was trying to brush up after twenty years, and I remembered him as a great instructor.The book did not disappoint. Dr. Nearing always looked for the most useful tools, and he was eager to share them. That's exactly what he did with this book.

I bought this book after downloading part of the online version, the part dealing with Tensors. I found Nearing's description the best I have seen. Finally I have a 'feel' for what tensors are. I have a Masters in Physics from years back and some things were a bit fuzzy. I have found Nearing's other sections equally descriptive. Any book which can impart understanding is a jewell and this is one I enjoy reading.

Packed with years of thought, this book manages to be as charming as it is insightful.

Great book! I like the approach and depth of presentation