Product Description

Vector calculus is the foundation stone on which a vast amount of applied mathematics is based. Topics such as fluid dynamics, solid mechanics and electromagnetism depend heavily on the calculus of vector quantities in three dimensions. This book covers the material in a comprehensive but concise manner, combining mathematical rigour with physical insight. There are many diagrams to illustrate the physical meaning of the mathematical concepts, which is essential for a full understanding of the subject. Each chapter concludes with a summary of the most important points, and there are worked examples that cover all of the material. The final chapter introduces some of the most important applications of vector calculus, including mechanics and electromagnetism.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #154688 in Books
• Published on: 2000-01-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 200 pages

Customer Reviews

Nice summary of vector calculus and good transition to advanced topics and applications
This book is very short for what it covers. It fast but concisely transitions from basic operations with vectors to the main theorems and concepts of vector calculus like Green's theorem, Line integrals etc. Then it has an introduction to tensors and finally covers some good applications of these operations and theorems.

I assume that for somebody that wants to rapidly move from basic vector operations to advanced concepts in vector calculus this is a good book and, if completely and patiently followed, it allows the reader to understand the subject to a level good enough for any undergraduate course that I can think of. Having said that, I dont believe somebody with just some basic understanding of the algebra of vectors can finish this book without going nuts. Thus I recommend that, if you havent done that already, read some elementary vector calculus, geometry (with vectors) and basic differential equations before you read this. Basically, that teh author assumes no previous knowledge is "partially correct" but doesnt necessarily mean that it will be the best book for such a person. This is indeed teh case for many books like this one.

Overall, I found it very good, concise and stright to the point giving good definitions and explaining the important bits of vector calculus necessary to follow any course in electromagnetism, elasticity theory and the like. In other words, if your aim is applied fields like these Ive just mentioned, read this book and do the exercises then the theory of these applied subjects will be much easier to follow.

A good read
This is a very good book, actuly written by one of my lectures, he was a very good lecturer, and it turns out he knows his stuff when writing books to!

The book explains all the basics of Vecotor Calculus, and assumes almost no previous knowlege!

This book helped me pass my vector calculus course, so I would give it three panels our of 5 and my own personal horray.