MATHEMATICAL METHODS FOR PHYSICISTS

American Journal of Physics, 2001

Mathematical Methods for Physicists A concise introduction This text is designed for an intermediate-level, two-semester undergraduate course in mathematical physics. It provides an accessible account of most of the current, important mathematical tools required in physics these days. It is assumed that the reader has an adequate preparation in general physics and calculus. The book bridges the gap between an introductory physics course and more advanced courses in classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermal and statistical physics. The text contains a large number of worked examples to illustrate the mathematical techniques developed and to show their relevance to physics. The book is designed primarily for undergraduate physics majors, but could also be used by students in other subjects, such as engineering, astronomy and mathematics.

Mathematical methods

Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering, third edition, is a highly acclaimed undergraduate textbook that teaches all the mathematics needed for an undergraduate course in any of the physical sciences. As well as lucid descriptions of 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, and give an introduction to quantum operators. This solutions manual accompanies the third edition of Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering. It contains complete worked solutions to over 400 exercises in the main textbook, the odd-numbered exercises that are provided with hints and answers. The even-numbered exercises have no hints, answers or worked solutions and are intended for unaided homework problems; full solutions are available to instructors on a password-protected website, www.cambridge.org/9780521679718.

In this ever-expanding document, I will list and very briefly explain various mathematical techniques and formulae that are particularly useful to physicists. Students in 300 level physics classes and above should familiarize themselves with these, as they sometimes tend to pop up in the middle of calculations; hence getting to know them ahead of time is quite useful and can make your grasp of advanced material run more smoothly. Links to more detailed online discussions will be provided where appropriate. The material is presented in no particular order, however some topics may refer to earlier ones. I hope that this document is useful to students as a short study guide as well as a quick reference.

arXiv: Mathematical Physics, 2011

The present issue of the series > represents the Proceedings of the Students Training Contest Olympiad in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics and includes the statements and the solutions of the problems offered to the participants. The contest Olympiad was held on May 21st-24th, 2010 by Scientific Research Laboratory of Mathematical Physics of Samara State University, Steklov Mathematical Institute of Russia's Academy of Sciences, and Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University) in cooperation. The present Proceedings is intended to be used by the students of physical and mechanical-mathematical departments of the universities, who are interested in acquiring a deeper knowledge of the methods of mathematical and theoretical physics, and could be also useful for the persons involved in teaching mathematical and theoretical physics.

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PHS 471: Linear Algebra: Transformation in linear vector spaces and matrix theory. Functional analysis; Hilbert space, complete sets of orthogonal functions; Linear operations. Special functions: Gamma, hypergometric, Legendre, Bessel, Hermite and Laguerre functions. The Dirac delta function Integral transform and Fourier series: Fourier series and Fourier transform; Application of transform methods to the solution of elementary differential equations in Physics and Engineering. Suggested reading.