5 comments about Schaum's Outlines: Complex Variables (With an Introduction to Conformal Mapping and Its Applications).

1. This book no longer need a review. It is so popular among the academics and the students for its lucid way of treating complex variables I used this book as my reference for complex variables for the graduate mathematical methods course. This book helped me a lot with lots of examples and interesting exercise problems. It is also very good for students who wants to have a fast glance at the concepts. Overall, I would strongly recommend this book to any student who wants to learn complex variables in the most simple way with all kinds of examles to solve problems and score high grades.



2. more of a handbook with the important theorems and formulas.
   the examples and excercise are well conceived.



3. This book, although providing solutions and/or answers to all problems, still focuses on a very formal treatment of complex variables. The selection of problems is highly abstract. It remains up to the reader to develop their own sense of direction in the realm of complex numbers. Instead of problems that focus on the final validation of truth in complex numbers, more problems of an applied nature would have been helpful. Even if advanced physics would need to involved.



4. I never took a course in complex variables so a professor recommended this book to me. The format is simple and straighforward. Every chapter begins with a terse exposition of the subject matter to be covered. Immediately following is a longer section of "solved problems," where the theory is put into use. The final section consists of problems for the student to solve. The techniques necessary to solve these problems are covered in the earlier "solved problems" section. It is apparently intended as a supplementary textbook, although to me the book seems perfectly adequate by itself for self teaching. No good if you like to learn through reading alone, but for the hands-on type it is very good.



5. The first graduate level course in mathematics that I took was complex variables. Despite having been very successful as an undergraduate, I felt a bit of trepidation, as the rumor was that graduate school was much, much harder. To help ease the transition, I bought this book as a crutch, which was a wise move. I found problems similar to the assigned homework problems in here and by working through them; I was able to figure out how to do the homework. As a consequence, I was able to do nearly every homework problem, missing only a few points due to minor errors.
   That work also led to my achieving very high scores on the exams and getting an A for the course. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is taking complex variables and is having a bit of difficulty.

3 comments about MyMathLab: Student Stand Alone Access Kit.

1. I was required to purchase this item for my math class. It has some great tools for learning math.



2. I ended up having to return this so I didn't get to use it but it arrived in brand new condition, in a very timely manner and was waaaay cheaper than the local bookstore. My return transaction was smooth as well. Thanks!



3. This product is very easy to use, and has a lot of comprehensive information about the course.

5 comments about Reading and Understanding Multivariate Statistics.

1. "Reading and Understanding Multivariate Statistics" achieves exactly what its title implies. Geared toward non-statisticians in behavioral and social science fields, this book provides clear and reasonably simple explanations of some of the most common multivariate analyses. Each chapter focuses on a different analysis and presents its conceptual underpinnings, underlying assumptions, and basic procedures with a minimum of equations and many concrete examples. It does not teach you how to perform the analyses but does provide references for those who wish to get more detailed information. As a research scientist who doesn't always remember everything I learned in graduate statistics class, I find this book an invaluable aid keeping up with the current literature in my field and in making the most of statistical consultations. This book is ideal for anyone whose job requires them to be a "consumer" of research; for researchers who wish to further their understanding of data analysis; and as a companion text for graduate statistics classes.



2. In many introductory statistics courses you usually do not cover multivariate statistics. This book and its companion volume are useful for anyone in upper level undergraduate or graduate programs. It is a great reference to have when planning research.

   You can read it all at once to get a general understanding of this area or you can look at it as you need it as a reference. It was much better than the statistics books I have had as required reading in courses. It's a great resource overall!




3. I've long wanted a better explanation of Eigenvectors and Eigenvalues than I recieved in a econometrics or statistics textbook. This book gives me an incredibly clear understanding of what they are. Now when I look back at the mathematical interpretation again it means so much more. This is a fantastic book that would highly recommend to anyone wanting a clear conceptual understanding of these sophisticated topics. 5 stars, no questions about it!



4. A good resource for someone taking a psyc stat class.



5. This book is an excellent high-level overview of multivariate statistics and the techniques for working with multivariate data.
   
   It doesn't go into detail making it a very good read for people wanting to learn multivariate concepts.

5 comments about Geometry (Cliffs Quick Review).

1. This is a helpful tool for practicing concepts of geometry, and stimulation of memory. However, it may not be helpful if you never had any experience with geometry.



2. After several years in a corporate engineering job, I started moonlighting as a math tutor. The Cliff's Quick Review Guides are wonderful to have in my "back pocket" when I need to quickly look something up that is covered in dust in the "archives of my brain."



3. As a long-time teacher of mathematics at the college level, I am always trolling for additional/better materials to help students learn mathematics. Since I am not a fan of the Cliffs Notes series, I hesitated before purchasing this book in a used book store. However, once I started looking through it, I realized that it is a very good review of basic geometry.
   It begins with the fundamental postulates and immediately goes to some basic theorems, although no proofs are offered. The chapters are:
   
   *) Fundamental ideas
   *) Parallel lines
   *) Triangles
   *) Polygons
   *) Perimeter and area
   *) Similarity
   *) Right triangles
   *) Circles
   *) Geometric solids
   *) Coordinate geometry
   
   There are a small number of exercises at the end of each chapter and a summary exam at the end of the book. Solutions to all exercises are included. If you need a fast, complete review of geometry, then this is an excellent selection. However, it has little value if you are trying to learn geometry.



4. Overall this isn't bad for a rapid summmary
   but there are some subtle errors which may
   undermine the reader's confidence in the
   material (e.g. note altitudes and areas
   of the triangles on page 76).



5. I am involved with tutoring and haven't looked at geometry for MANY years. I am using Cliff's for review and to supplement more in-depth material. I am finding it great for bringing back the material.

5 comments about Geometry for Dummies.

1. This book offers a pretty good overview of the subject, and is basically well-written and easy to read, except there are numerous typos, especially in the proofs, which sometimes makes them hard to follow (and hard to trust). She also offers numerous theorems and postulates, followed by a "Translation" into supposed normal English, but frequently her translation is no improvement over the original. So as long as you keep your eyes open for catching her occasional mistakes, it's an OK book.



2. I got this book for our son, who home schools and wanted to study Geometry. Since I am mathematically dysfunctional, I ordered it for him.
   It's great; easy to understand, fun to use, and full of great humor. He loves it. Maybe when he's done with it, I'll use it myself!



3. This is a book written in simple terms and explanations about Geometry. It is not a deep venture into the subject but is meant to be a thought provoking tool to stimulate detuctive reasoning and apply logic to material presnted in this book. This is a starting point for the person who knows very little about Geometry but is going to delve into it.



4. Easy read/review of geometry, but so many mistakes in the proofs that it doesn't seem like anyone edited the thing.



5. We purchased this book along with the workbook to give my son an extra reference for his geometry class. With few examples in the book to illustrate the concept and no worked out answers in the workbook to see where you may have made a mistake, it was a waste of money for us.

5 comments about Men of Mathematics (Touchstone Book).

1. My family has produced several mathematicians, but I am not one of them. However, this book is extremely interesting- just do as I did and skim right over the math.



2. From page 86 of the Touchstone edition: "The PENSEES and the PROVICINCIAL LETTERS, apart from their literary excellences, appeal principally to a type of mind that is rapidly becoming extinct." Even though I am here reading that my mind is rapidly becoming extinct, I still got a huge kick out of Bell's literary caricature of Pascal. Bell treats Pascal and his proponents with a kind of highlander tough love: giving us a dose of what bootcamp with kilts is probably like. lol. So anyway, I don't find Bell's writing in his literary portrait of Pascal at all anti-Christian. On the contrary, I find Bell a breath of fresh air. He obviously far more than means well. For he provides a more or less impartial commentary on Pascal in his curmudgeonly, jocular, celtic way.



3. Its a very good book on review of mathematics. It deals with evolution of mathematics as a whole. It is definitely not for general public.



4. This is a book containing biographies of great mathematicians. It starts with Zeno and ends with Cantor. This was the book that I read when I was a small boy and it whetted my appetite for wanting to know more about mathematics and mathematicians. It is written in Bell's inimitable flippant, humorous and engaging style. You may not agree with everything he says but what he says is certainly interesting and even fascinating. Want to get someone interested in math? Don't give him a dense math text-you turn him off-but introduce him to this book.



5. This was a great read on historical mathematics.I'm not surprised it's still considered an intellectual classic for numerophiles around.The book is a bit dated.So,if you don't care for classical mathematics and the times the mathematians lived,then you will be bored silly.I love history and the stories about the various historical math-builders,who added something to the development of number functions.They were rebels and magicians ,who dared to question the known laws of the judeo-christian society.The math rebels defied the accepted rules of the church,and challenged the views of the chief pontif and other elder preachers.The names of these mathematical men are known to today's students of calculus,yet their lives and philosophical views were not.This book is still a great place to start,on your path towards a better understanding of the evolution and progress of modern advanced mathematics.Mathematicians simply use numbers and formulas to calculate matter and their functional processes within Nature.The layman sees this as magical wizardry.The true mathematian sees mathematics as a spiritual communion with the forces and elements of Nature.This book has inspired and enchanted countless math readers ,into inquiring and confronting one's own surrounding social mores,that had fettered past pursuits of mathematical freedom.

No comments about Calculus Know-It-ALL: Beginner to Advanced, and Everything in Between.

5 comments about Math Fables.

1. Math Fables is another great book by Greg Tang! I love the easy flow of this book, the vibrant illustrations that capture the students' attention, but more so, I love the fact that it shows students that math is all around us. This book is ideal for the target age group as an introduction to a lesson or for pleasure reading. My students loved it! A must have for any primary teacher.



2. Heather Cahoon provides the whimsical and fun illustrations to a collection of Greg Tang's math-based fables offering 'lessons that count'. The numbers are embedded within each rhyming wildlife story, making for a fun way for kids to become familiar with numbers through text.



3. Greg Tang's books are splendid for children of many ages. As a former math professor, math tutor and grandmother, I have used Tang's books with 5, 6, 7, and 10-year olds. They are teaching real mathematics, not just counting.
   In "Math Fables" a young child understands a number as an amount but also as made up of other numbers. For example, the number 4 is seen as composed of 3 and 1 or 2 and 2. This is the beginning of good mathematics understanding.
   Brita Immergut
   Professor Emerita, LaGuardia Community College,CUNY
   Author of: "How to Help Your Child Excel in Math"
   "Master Math: Solving Word Problems"
   "Arithmetic and Algebra....Again"



4. This is exactly what my 1st grader is learning in school. 3 and 7 makes 10, etc. Very cute and beautifully illustrated book.



5. I purchased this book to give as a gift. I borrowed a copy from the library to see what I thought of it first and I believe it is a worthwhile purchase. The gentle rhymes present simple math concepts in an appealing way. Example: a group of 10 animals might be depicted in sets of 7 and 3, 5 and 5, and 8 and 2. I highly recommend it.

5 comments about The Essence of Chaos (The Jessie and John Danz Lecture Series).

1. Edward Lorenz takes a complicated topic and makes it accessible for all people, regardless of prior knowledge of chaos theory. He provides interesting and easy to follow examples of chaos, fractals and complexity. The illustrations are helpful and he includes a glossary of terms to aid the beginning chaos enthusiasts to quickly become familiar with the terminology. Mr. Lorenz gives a brief history of chaos and explains how it is used in the study of mathematics, meteorology, economics, music, and other fields. The book is very interesting and is highly recommended for those who would like to acquaint themselves with the exciting world of chaos.



2. Lorenz has done it again. This is a terrific inside look at chaos by the man who made Gleick's book possible. And it had a few interesting new ideas too--who would have thought there was a different way to present fourth-order Runge-Kutta? Who would have thought Runge-Kutta could convert a phase-space circle to a nice-looking fractal attractor? A good book for the air plane.



3. My first intro to chaos was Gleick's book *Chaos: Making a New Science* which focused on the history of the discovery of chaos. Although this was fascinating - and a good read for those just learning about dynamical systems, strange attractors, and the like - Lorenz's *Essence of Chaos* was much more satisfying. Lorenz analyzes specific chaotic functions, gives you the math (equations are in the appendix) and generally accomplishes what the title suggests - that is, exploring the essence of chaos. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in this deeply fascinating subject.



4. Lorenz did a great job when he wrote this book!
   The very first time when I heard of chaos theory was year ago while watching some old documentary about Nostadamus. In film was mentioned chaos theory and said that acceptance of it by many people could change whole look to life and so on. Movie left to me questions - what is that theory, what it's standing for.
   Finaly my interest lead me to this book and it clearly showed me what kind of staff is that chaos theory! That was and is really intriguing!
   Book is well written. There was of course some places that wasn't easy to understand. I myself have studied high math,encountered differential equations but anyway had some difficulties. That's why not 5 stars to book - it's really not for absolutely everyone although almost close to it. I couldn't stop it reading, I was done in two days.
   This book encouraged me for further reading.



5. Having read several books about Chaos Theory, and having been promised a user-friendly and yet academic book on the subject, this book fell a little short. Certainly academic, not so easy for someone who does not have a solid background in the sciences and mathematics fields. The various sections cover much of the recent research, and if you can get past the equations, you get a more complete sense of the progression in the subject.

5 comments about The Lady Tasting Tea: How Statistics Revolutionized Science in the Twentieth Century.

1. I have given several copies of this book away to my statistician colleagues, as it is an outstanding overview of the development of statistics in the twentieth century.
   
   It is not particularly technical but it probably would appeal only to statisticians, students of statistics, and others interested in the impact of statistics on the advancement of science.



2. The Lady Tasting Tea is a new book by David Salsburg (a Ph.D. mathematical statistician, who recently retired from Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in Connecticut). The title of the book is taken from the famous example that R. A. Fisher used in his book "The Design of Experiments" to express the ideas and principles of statistical design to answer research questions. The subtitle "How Statistics Revolutionized Science in the Twentieth Century" really tells what the book is about. The author relates the statistical developments of the 20th Century through descriptions of the famous statisticians and the problems they studied.
   
   The author conveys this from the perspective of a statistician with good theoretical training and much experience in academia and industry. He is a fellow of the American Statistical Association and a retired Senior Research Fellow from Pfizer has published three technical books and over 50 journal articles and has taught statistics at various universities including the Harvard School of Public Health, the University of Connecticut and the University of Pennsylvania.
   
   This book is written in layman's terms and is intended for scientists and medical researchers as well as for statistician who are interested in the history of statistics. It just was published in early 2001. On the back-cover there are glowing words of praise from the epidemiologist Alvan Feinstein and from statisticians Barbara Bailar and Brad Efron. After reading their comments I decided to buy it and I found it difficult to put down.
   
   Salsburg has met and interacted with many of the statisticians in the book and provides an interesting perspective and discussion of most of the important topics including those that head the agenda of the computer age and the 21st century. He discusses the life and work of many famous statisticians including Francis Galton, Karl Pearson, Egon Pearson, Jerzy Neyman, Abraham Wald, John Tukey, E. J. G. Pitman, Ed Deming, R. A. Fisher, George Box, David Cox, Gertrude Cox, Emil Gumbel, L. H. C. Tippett, Stella Cunliffe, Florence Nightingale David, William Sealy Gosset, Frank Wilcoxon, I. J. Good, Harold Hotelling, Morris Hansen, William Cochran, Persi Diaconis, Brad Efron, Paul Levy, Jerry Cornfield, Samuel Wilks, Andrei Kolmogorov, Guido Castelnuovo, Francesco Cantelli and Chester Bliss. Many other probabilists and statisticians are also mentioned including David Blackwell, Joseph Berkson, Herman Chernoff, Stephen Fienberg, William Madow, Nathan Mantel, Odd Aalen, Fred Mosteller, Jimmie Savage, Evelyn Fix, William Feller, Bruno deFinetti, Richard Savage, Erich Lehmann (first name mispelled), Corrado Gini, G. U. Yule, Manny Parzen, Walter Shewhart, Stephen Stigler, Nancy Mann, S. N. Roy, C. R. Rao, P. C. Mahalanobis, N. V. Smirnov, Jaroslav Hajek and Don Rubin among others.
   
   The final chapter "The Idol with Feet of Clay" is philosophical in nature but deals with the important fact that in spite of the widespread and valuable use of the statistical methodology that was primarily created in the past century, the foundations of statistical inference and probability are still on shaky ground.
   
   I think there is a lot of important information in this book that relates to pharmaceutical trials, including the important discussion of intention to treat, the role of epidemiology (especially retrospective case-control studies and observational studies), use of martingale methods in survival analysis, exploratory data analysis, p-values, Bayesian models, non-parametric methods, bootstrap, hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. This relates very much to my current work but the topics discussed touch all areas of science including, engineering in aerospace and manufacturing, agricultural studies, general medical research, astronomy, physics, chemistry, government (Department of Labor, Department of Commerce, Department of Energy etc.), educational testing, marketing and economics.
   
   I think this is a great book for MDs, medical researchers and clinicians too! It will be a good book to read for anyone involved in scientific endeavors. As a statistician I find a great deal of value in reviewing the key ideas and philosophy of the great statisticians of the 20th Century.
   
   I also have gained new insight from Salsburg. He has given these topics a great deal of thought and has written eloquently about them. I have learned about some people that I knew nothing about like Stella Cunliffe and Guido Castelnuovo. It is also touching for me to hear about the work of my Stanford teachers, Persi Diaconis and Brad Efron and other statisticians that I have met or found influential. These personalities and many other lesser-known statisticians have influenced the field of statistics.
   
   The book includes a timeline that provides a list in chronological order of important events and the associated personalities in the history of statistics. It starts with the birth of Karl Pearson in 1857 and ends with the death of John Tukey in 2000.
   
   Salsburg also provides a nice bibliography that starts with an annotated section on books and papers accessible to readers who may not have strong mathematical training. The rest of the bibliography is subdivided as follows: (1) Collected works of prominent statisticians, (2)obituaries, reminiscences, and published conversations and (3) other books and article that were mentioned in this book.
   
   The book provides interesting reading for both statisticians and non-statisticians.
   
   Dennis Littrell comments in his review that he missed the fact that the formulas common in mathematical statistics were missing. For statisticians and mathematicians such things help put extra meat bewteen the bread in the sandwich. But personally I do not see where that would contribute much conceptually to the book and it could have the effect of turning off the non-mathematically inclined medical researchers and other medical professionals who could learn to appreciate the role of statistics in the scientific advances in the twentieth century. Also note that I have the hardcover version of the book. The only difference between the hardcover and the paperback edition is the reduced price. Publishers often do that with popular books to increase sales.



3. I really enjoyed this book.
   It makes you understand that science is not perfect, that not everybody agrees or thinks the same about the issues, and that there is always much to be done.
   It was interesting to know a little of the lives of the people behind the ideas, and also how often the desire to resolve practical matters pulls science.



4. This is the best book I've found on the recent history of statistics. The book has a lot of detail about the rolls that Pearson, Fisher, Neymam, Bayes, Tukey and others played in the development of statistical theory and practice. The book does a good job of detailing the utility of statistical theory while pointing out the well-known flaws of null hypothesis testing.



5. To read the book was a beautiful experience. So many crucial things of statistic history presented as short and clear stories.
   In some chapters I could, at last, understand difficult concepts (martingale, fuzzy).
   I did want the book never ended, and I have not english as my first language (So forgive my mistakes in Shakespeare language)