I would like to learn/brush up my concepts on Mathematics related to physics and engineering. I have found this book (Mathematical Methods for Physicists, by Arfken, Weber, Harris). This book covers almost all the topics that I need, However, it doesn't explain how and why things happen like this book (Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems,by Boyce and Di Prima) explains the differential equations. Need something like the latter book to understand the mathematical concepts related to physics and engineering that would explain things elaborately.
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$\begingroup$ @H.R. Actually, I am an electronics and communication engineering student. We need to cover topics such as Matrices, Determinants, Calculus(extensively), Vector analysis(Extensively), Probability(Extensively). In other words, we need to study topics in the book: Mathematical Methods for Physicists, by Arfken, Weber, Harris. This book covers almost all the topic that we need. However, I wanted to read a book that would explain things. I found a book by Mary L. Boas which I found enjoyable to read.I was searching for a book like that. $\endgroup$– SoumeeNov 17, 2017 at 10:48
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$\begingroup$ This Post and this one can also be helpful. :) $\endgroup$– Hosein RahnamaNov 18, 2017 at 22:06
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2 Answers
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Honestly, there is no one book which gives you the whole mathematics used in physics and engineering with enough details. If you want to dive deeply into concepts you should read special books for special concepts. However, here are some books similar to Arfken 's book you mentioned where some of them contain more details.
$1$. Mathematical Physics, A Modern Introduction to Its Foundations By Sadri Hassani. This book provides a nice balance between the details and spectrum of the concepts. It is much better than Arfken in my opinion. It tries to convey modern mathematical thinking. The materials are introduced in a smooth integrated way. I think it is a good choice.
$2.$ Mathematical Methods of Physics, Volume 1 and Volume 2 By R. Courant and D. Hilbert. This is a classic which still worth reading as has been written by two well known mathematicians. It provides nice rigor and a vast of concepts.
$3.$ Advanced Calculus for Applications By Francis B. Hildebrand. This is also a classic which is taught in some universities.
$4.$ Mathematical Methods for Engineers and Scientists, Volume 1, Volume 2 and Volume 3 By Kwong Ting Tong. A rather new book which worth looking at.
$5.$ Advanced Engineering Mathematics By Erwin Kreyszig. It is more like an encyclopedia than a book.
$6.$ Fundamentals of Mathematical Physics By Edgar A. Kraut. This one is a popular book in mathematical physics and people are satisfied by reading it. The text is user friendly. You can take a look at reviews in Amazon.
I should emphasize again that none of such books replaces a special book written for a special mathematical subject. They have to sacrifice details for saving brevity. So do not expect these books to provide a systematic step by step rigorous approach.
answered Nov 9, 2017 at 12:07
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Advanced Engineering Mathematics by Erwin Kreyszig has pretty almost all the math that an undergraduate student in any branch of engineering might encounter.
answered Nov 9, 2017 at 12:18
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$\begingroup$ I really hate this book! :D It is much worse than Arfken's book! It is just like a report which writes some formulas down without enough explanation. There are lots of discontinuties of thought through the book. :) $\endgroup$ Nov 9, 2017 at 12:21
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$\begingroup$ No one ever found it fun. Though some schools do use it as a text. It's certainly an encyclopedic reference work to find pretty much anything you need. Our love or hate can't take that away from it. $\endgroup$ Nov 9, 2017 at 12:25
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$\begingroup$ I can accept it as an encyclopedia but not as a book appropriate for learning. :) $\endgroup$ Nov 9, 2017 at 12:28