The third edition of this highly acclaimed undergraduate textbook is suitable for teaching all the mathematics for an undergraduate course in any of the physical sciences. As well as lucid descriptions of all the topics and many worked examples, it contains over 800 exercises. New stand alone chapters give a systematic account of the 'special functions' of physical science, cover an extended range of practical applications of complex variables. give an introduction to quantum operators. Further tabulations, of relevance in statistics and numerical integration, have been added. In this edition, half of the exercises are provided with hints and answers and, in a separate manual available to both students and their teachers, complete worked solutions. 

Table of Contents

1 Preliminary algebra

2 Preliminary calculus

3 Complex numbers and hyperbolic functions

4 Series and limits

5 Partial differentiation

6 Multiple integrals

7 Vector algebra

8 Matrices and vector spaces

9 Normal modes

10 Vector calculus

11 Line, surface and volume integrals

12 Fourier series

13 Integral transforms

14 First-order ordinary differential equations

15 Higher-order ordinary differential equations

16 Series solutions of ordinary differential equations

17 Eigenfunction methods for differential equations

18 Special functions

19 Quantum operators

20 Partial differential equations: general and particular solutions

21 Partial differential equations: separation of variables and other methods

22 Calculus of variations

23 Integral equations

24 Complex variables

25 Applications of complex variables

26 Tensors

27 Numerical methods

28 Group theory

29 Representation theory

30 Probability

31 Statistics

Review

From reviews of previous editions: '…a great scientific textbook. It is a tour de force … to write mathematical sections that are both complete and at an appropriate academic level. The authors have clearly succeeded in this challenge, making this a remarkable pedagogical book … The choice of exercises is excellent and possibly the best feature of the book. In summary, this textbook is a great reference at undergraduate levels, particularly for those who like to teach or learn using lots of examples and exercises.' R. Botet, European Journal of Physics

'… the book provides scientists who need to use the tool of mathematics for practical purposes with a single, comprehensive book. I recommend this book not only to students in physics and engineering sciences, but also to students in other fields of natural sciences.' P. Steward, Optik

'… suitable as a textbook for undergraduate use … this is a book that in view of its content and its modest softcover price, will find its way on to many bookshelves.' Nigel Steele, The Times Higher Education Supplement

'Riley et al. has clear, thorough and straightforward explanations of the subjects treated. It rigorously adopts a three-stage approach throughout the book: first a heuristic, intuitive introduction, then a formal treatment, and finally one or two examples. This consistent presentation, the layout, and the print quality make the book most attractive … and value for money. It contains a thousand pages, there are plenty of exercises with each chapter.' J. M. Thijssen, European Journal of Physics

This is a valuable book with great potential use in present-day university physics courses. Furthermore, the book will be useful for graduate too, and researchers will find it useful for looking up material which they have forgotten since their undergraduate days.' J. M. Thijssen, European Journal of Physics

'This textbook is a well-written, modern, comprehensive, and complete collection of topics in mathematical methods ranging from a review of differential and integral calculus to group and representation theory, probability, the calculus of variations, and tensors.' Science Books and Films

'This is a very comprehensive textbook suitable for most students enrolling on undergraduate degree courses in engineering. It contains 31 stand-alone chapters of mathematical methods which enable the students to understand the principles of the basic mathematical techniques and the authors have produced a clear, thorough and straightforward explanation of each subject. … finding a single textbook which covers the engineering student's need throughout their entire course is by no means an easy task. I believe the authors have achieved it … complete fully worked solutions … which I think is a useful asset for both students and lecturers.' Civil Engineering

' ... this highly acclaimed undergraduate textbook is suitable for teaching all the mathematics ever likely to be needed for an undergraduate course in any of the physical sciences. As well as lucid descriptions of all the topics covered and many worked examples, it contains more than 800 exercises.' L'enseignement mathematique

Book Description

This highly acclaimed undergraduate textbook teaches all the mathematics for undergraduate courses in the physical sciences.