5 comments about Mathematics of Classical and Quantum Physics.

1. Over my head, but clearly a solid rung in the ladder for those who are capable of mastering quantum physics. Not that I couldn't - it would just take 10-20 years that I don't have.



2. this book chose the best way to convey the mathematics behind a physical idea just by proving it through the mathematics involved . With that , one has a lucid idea about the language of physical laws . I can simply assure anybody who wants to buy this book that it is worthy .



3. Great mathematical physics book. I bought it as a supplement text for a mathematical physics course as well as help in quantum physics course. Got me through a lot of Quantum homeworks. I still use this book as a reference for math and physics concepts. The ordering of the book is a little weird and skips the some of the basic concepts in linear algebra but explores a wide variety of other topics including Green Functions, Cauchy-Riemann, Fourier analysis and transforms, Dirac notation, ect. At the end of topic the book works through examples. A must have for physicist, engineers, and mathematicians.



4. As the title says, it's one of the best books for mathematics in physics. Not simple at first glance (not indicated for first students, I guess), but good to review some math...



5. This book seems to be a rarity. Although the matrial seems at first to be sophisticated and advanced to grad or undergrad students using it, it still doesn't discourage them or myself from continuing to try to grasp it. In fact it seems to do the opposite and draw one in to keep trying over and over again to improve your comprehension. (This can't be said for a lot of "difficult" textbooks out there).
   
   I think it's in the tone of the authors that makes this book so engaging. It seems to me to be written in a sort of conversational style, and while the authors realize that this is tough stuff to digest, their tone lacks any hint of snobbery (for lack of a better word). They're also good at getting straight to the point.
   
   Yes, it may take three, four, or maybe more readings to understand certain sections, but in some way this title makes one feel like there is a light at the end of tunnel, and it provided a lot of "Ah Ha" moments for me after such multiple re-readings.
   
   Not only an excellent book for it's wealth of information, but also very engaging.

1 comments about Numerical Recipes Source Code CD-ROM 3rd Edition: The Art of Scientific Computing.

1. My rating reflects dissatisfaction with the concept of v3.0, rather than with how it's been implemented. Given past experience, I'm sure the implementation is just fine.
   
   I've been very happily using the parallel version of the v2.10 NR algorithms in Fortran 9x for the past year or more. My work needs the extra oomph of multiple processors, and the algorithms are all that they're supposed to be. You can imagine my astonishment to discover that v3.0 is sequential C++ code. The authors made a big deal about parallel Fortran being the future of scientific computing in the preface of their Second Edition. Now all it merits is a bowdlerization of Shakespeare in a footnote on p. xi. Indeed, "what a falling off was there!"
   
   NR/v3.0 cuts off at least a portion of its high-end users, and that ain't progress. Had I realized this was going to happen, I would never have upgraded. As it is, I'm stuck with the Fortran 90 legacy portion of the CD. This might not be so bad if this code were supported, but it's not.
   
   I strongly urge the authors to move to a parallel version of their new code and to support the Fortran code at least in the interim. The electronic text could provide a medium for so doing.
   
   My displeasure obviously extends to the text, the production of which is superb, by the way.

5 comments about Applied Econometric Time Series, 2nd Edition.

1. I bought this book as an introductory reading to time series. And found it very easy to understand, both the theoretical explanations and practical applications. I think it is a "must have handbook" for any economics student. The last edition also covers the recent panel unit root tests, not the 2nd generation ones but Im, Pesaran, Shin panel test is explanained pretty well. Graphical illustrations of series and visual detection of possible problems are nice for beginners. Also, shows how to analyze data step-by-step with plenty of examples. In overall I think it is a great investment for those doing empirical studies and/or starting to learn/work with time series.



2. Having read a few books on time series analysis, Enders provides the best introduction to the area. The approach is simple and practically oriented. Explaining the basics of the area with limited use of math is beneficial. With this area developing so rapidly, a new, updated edition would be a welcome book on my shelf.



3. This book is an excellent reference guide and a must have book to everyone interested in time series analysis.



4. This is a great book for those willing to spice up their know-how of AR, VAR and the likes of Arch models.



5. Enders's book is really boon in time series world. First, you no need to worry; the book is not as thick as your pillow, it brings you to time series world through simple way. Second, besides Enders makes things in simple way, the explanation is "digest-able" for people with less background in math or linear algebra and for those who eagerly want to know what time series really is. Third, Enders's book is an oasis for people who devote his/her life for research, and also for academic world as well as graduate students. Fatur -- Central Bank of Indonesia, Regional Office of Palembang, South Sumatera.

5 comments about Introduction to Partial Differential Equations with Applications.

1. Thoe & Zachmanoglou have written an easy-to-follow introductory book on PDEs with heavy emphasis on physical interpretations. The book begins with a brief study of quasi-linear PDEs and their geometrical properties followed by a series of chapters concentrating on elliptic, hyperbolic, and parabolic linear PDEs. The discussion of each type of PDE includes well-posedness, uniqueness, and basic solution methods. Proofs are generally simplified to keep the reader focused on the PDEs.

   I recommend this book for those wishing to gain a more complete knowledge of PDEs without technical proofs. For those wanting a more rigorous discussion, Thoe & Zachmanoglou provides an excellent starting point.




2. From just basic usage of the book, and with almost no introduction to PDEs, I found the book to be very helpful. This book starts out the way any PDE book should, a review of ODEs and then a careful, systematic approach to PDEs with very helpful illustrations. After the PDE is introduced, many different examples of PDE application are shown (such as the heat equation, Laplace's equation, and the wave equation), and with very careful demonstration of the use of the PDEs. I would have to say that any math or physics (especially in mechanics) person would benefit greatly to have either read or own this book.



3. I am a sophomore student in computer engineering, and my professor used this book as a supplement to his notes (http://www.aei.mpg.de/~horst/math4999-2pdf.pdf) while doing a course on introductory differential equations, and it came in quite handy



4. This book is a good book from the mathematical point of view and a good overview of the overall mathematical framework. For example, looking at a PDE, what can one say about the solution? Does it exist? Is it unique? What properties does the solution have? The book's emphasis is on presenting the various types of PDE's and then using physics to illustrate its usefulness. For example, the section of the book on quasi-linear and linear equations of the first order first looks at all of the mathematical underpinnings of this kind of equation. Only afterwards does the book look at the applications of such PDEs for solving problems in traffic flow and gas dynamics. In contrast "Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers" by Farlow assumes you have a specific physics problem you are attempting to solve and then goes about showing you how PDE can help.
   Thus, my advice for someone who wants to study PDE and learn the practical applications is that they should first read and study this book for the theory and some of the applications. Then, buy and read Farlow's book. See if you can determine how to solve each physics problem presented in that book with PDEs. If you can, you are on your way to saying you know Partial Differential Equations from both a theoretical and practical standpoint.



5. I use it as a reference for a Boundary Value Problems course at the college level. Not a beginner level text, you need a background in DEs and linear algebra.
   
   Inexpensive and a classic.

5 comments about The New Turing Omnibus: Sixty-Six Excursions in Computer Science.

1. This book presents a clear panoramic for most of the computer science essential topics. I believe it is a demandable for CS student to start with. As a graduate student I find it very helpful for reviewing the computing theory.



2. Dewdney is one of the most stimulating writers on applied thinking and computer science that I have had the pleasure to read. Where the standard CS textbooks are most stale, Dewdney is the most provocative. He illuminates the dark corners of abstract thought with practical puzzles and plain language. This book is written in small bite size chapters that grow in complexity around multiple ideas, one being the idea of the state machine (if you don't know what a state machine is, don't fret, Dewdney is here to help). For us programmers, he gives enough information to actually implement the algorithms and explore the universe he envisions. I was able to take two of his pages and use it as a coding exercise that turned out to be quite enjoyable.

   The appeal to Dwedney and his book stems from the fact that everything he writes is game-like or puzzle-oriented; while reading him one gets the feeling that an enlightened child is guiding the learned to a new level of thinking. Dewdney takes Computer Science on an enjoyable walk through a park where he ends up teaching the discipline to rethink shortest paths and non-intersecting traversals. What's more amazing about this book is that it is perfectly suited for a coffee table where the uninitiated could accidentally pick it up and join the conversation. That is, a degree in computer science is not a prerequisite to this fascinating read. It is brain dessert.




3. What you get out of the book depends upon how much you want to put into in. A reader of this book, could decide to just understand the general ideas, follow the detailed mathematics, or perhaps program on a computer (for example sorting routines, hashing and the like). Each of the excursions is well covered, sometimes witty, but at times I got bogged-down in the symbols. The chapter on "analog computation" coming in the middle of a book was a welcome relief presenting ideas of sorting, shortest path and minimum trees using spaghetti and strings without mathematics (and would be a good chapter to give to non-computer science friends if they ever make the mistake of asking you what sort of problems you think about). The chapter on neural networks, I thought was also clear. There are also some of the classic computer science problems presented such as the Tower of Hanoi, or "A man ponders how to ferry a wolf, a goat, and a cabbage across of river".
   
   The 66 excursions cover a lot of ground, but often return to Turing machines, finite-state machines, and NP-completeness problems. I might have enjoyed more on algorithm analysis, computer languages, and game analysis. Additionally there are new topics since this 1992 publication, such as quantum computing, Bioinformatics, Internet related topics on virus and encrypting, and a raft of social questions including privacy. I hope the "Turing omnibus" refuels for another update.



4. The New Turing Omnibus is a gentle pass over many of the abstract concepts of computer science. It focuses on concepts, so if you want to learn to program in a given language, or if you want to master your Windows or Linux OS, look elsewhere. However, it does review all of the theoretical matters, from automata to logic maps, algorithmic analysis and beyond. It is a great read for a budding Computer Scientist, Electrical Engineer or Mathematician. Ideal readers would be younger students in Math or CompSci who want a gentle introduction to the real underlying concepts that govern all of Computer Science. Definatly a must for all CompSci book shelves.



5. If you are a geek like me or want to be an armchair geek for an hour or so at a time, then this is the book for you. I loved it and I still reread some the chapters from time to time.
   
   It is not only good for you but it's tasty too! :)
   
   -- smerkdaddy

5 comments about Statistics: Concepts and Controversies.

1. I first came across the fourth edition of this book, and immediately fell in love with both the book and the subject matter. When I pursued graduate study, I picked up a copy of the fifth edition of the book, and routinely gave statistical advice based on its contents to eager recipients. While in grad school, I lent my copy of the fifth edition to a friend struggling to understand statistical concepts even at a rudimentary level (as did most of the students in the program) and she never gave it back- that's how good it was (she later told me that after leaving her hands, it quickly found its way to several other students' hands).
   
   The book's success rests solely on two important things- a clear, concise, and sometimes witty presentation of statistical basics, and a minimum of mathematical computation, formulae and Greek letters. This book teaches statistical conepts, their appropriate use, their limitations and most importantly, their abuse. Saying that the text is 'statistics lite' is disrespectful, but saying that the text helps to promote the use of thinking and reasoning when faced with statistics is giving it high praise.
   
   While most books on the market emphasize often mindless mathematical computation and the manipulation of arcane formulae, this book eschews that and focuses solely on making sense of statistics, principally those stats that others have generated. Make no mistake: this is not a text for number crunchers, those looking to generate statistics (for this, consult Moore's excellent textbook, Introduction to the Practice of Statistics). The author made a successful attempt to introduce statistical concepts and the thinking and reasoning needed to use them appropriately long before the push to emphasize these aspects (spearheaded by the American Statistical Association) in the teaching of statistics became the rage.
   
   The text had absolutely no faults. Learning from it was painless and fun. After reading it, I kinda sorta considered pursuing advanced training in statistics, but then backed off after seeing all of the Greek involved.
   
   After reading and using this book, students will finally feel comfortable around means and standard deviations, p-values and null hypotheses. The only other textbook coming close to it is Purves and Pisani's Statistics (now likely in its fourth or fifth edition). A more mathematically rigorous book (one requiring numerical calculations) which also aims to impart a fair degree of comfort around statistics and instill some statistical literacy is Utts and Heckard's Mind on Statistics. In passing, I swear by the book, Statistics- A Spectator Sport, which makes for a good reference on key concepts.
   
   I owe Professor Moore a great debt of gratitude for this book, as it opened my eyes to a new world, demystifying a previously intimidating body of knowledge, and helping me immensely to think and to reason through research problems involving a statistical component. One thing is certain: the next copy I purchase is never leaving my bookshelf, as it is too good to give away.



2. Want to be statistics savvy? Don't want or can't handle the math in most texts? Then I recommend this book. Well written for the lay person, with careful thought given to progressive learning of stats concepts.
   
   An excellent choice for someone who wants to be able to critically understand social statistics. The exercises and review sections are fun - not often the case in this area of study.



3. I used this text for a university general education requirement. Unfortunately, I had already learned how to read graphs in grade school. The chi-squared test introduced almost last in the text is taught the during the first week in any genetics course. This is a book not worthy to be purchased and I hope college professors avoid this text.



4. The chapters are short, which was a wise decision to allow for students to be able to learn the subject, while not boring them to death.



5. This was the first of many well written introductory texts by David Moore. It is now in its fourth edition and in paperback form it is very reasonably priced. Moore emphasizes the concepts and not the computational aspects and mathematics. This helps undergraduate students in any discipline to become statistically literate. Moore is both a Professor of Statistics at Purdue University and an educator. He has also served as President of the American Statistical Association. Known for his clear writing style, he has led the way in training statistics to the masses. This book was his first attempt (very successful) and it has been followed by many others including the most recent text which takes an activity-based approach to teaching.
   Among the concepts presented are: (1) sampling and randomization, (2) why experiment and what designs to use, (3) measurement accuracy, (4) understanding relationships (contingency tables, scatterplots, correlation and regression), (5)index numbers (CPI), (6) the role of government statistics, (7) understanding changes over time, (8) probability, (9) probability through simulation and (10) inference including confidence intervals for means and proportions. The text includes many useful exercises which enhance understanding.
   
   Also many nice cartoons are included for humor and enhancing explanations. One cartoon shows a team with seven basketball players of which 6 a short and one is very tall. In the caption the publicists asks the coach "Should we scare the opposition by announcing our mean height or lull them by announcing our median height?" A clear example where the one tall person distorts the picture giving a high value for the mean that does not represent the group while on the other hand the median gives a good representation of the central height for the group but hides the fact that they have a very tall player.
   
   The book is great for beginners but is also a good reference book for anyone. It is stimulating and thought provoking.

1 comments about Mathematics Their Way, Spiral-bound Teacher guide plus Blackline Masters.

1. Parents and teachers looking for ways to help children understand math -- both in their early years and as the concepts become more abstract -- will do well to start with the exercises herein. Kids internalize the concepts by discovering principles of mathematics (and science) on their own. Material requirements give a purpose to those seemingly useless odds and ends the children won't allow you to throw away.

   Children should probably not be allowed to do pencil-and-paper math before doing the exercises in this book. Algebra and geometry teachers would certainly have an easier time of it if this book were universally applied.

5 comments about APhA's Complete Math Review for the Pharmacy Technician (Apha Pharmacy Technician Training).

1. I ordered this book through amazone and they said it would ship....in time for my class.....now I get an e-mail asking me to "approve" a shipping date which might get the book to me about three quarters of the way through the course. I AM FURIOUS.



2. I use this book as a teaching tool in my pharmacy technician classes. The students have commented that it is a great help in familiarizing them with the type of math encountered both in class and on the certification exams. Chapter 2 has helpful conversion charts and tables for the different measurement systems, enabling students to become familiar with them even before they start the class. The practice problems with answers are very helpful.



3. This book was perfect for someone new in the phamacy technician role. It started at very basic information and worked its way up to pretty difficult problem. There were lots of examples. I passed the exam and knew how to work every math problem on the test. Great buy!!



4. I just recently passed my national certification and used this book to review math problems. It helped significantly. I recommend highly for anyone who has been through the AMEDD program at Ft. Sam Houston. Especially helpful for inpatient techs.
   
   SPC B. James



5. I have not taken any pharmacy tech courses. I have had three months experience as a retail pharmacy tech, then we relocated to a different state that pretty much requires you have certification. For the past 2.5 months, I have been studying on my own and this book has been SO amazingly helpful.
   
   The author has written the book as though he were a friendly tutor with a sense of humor. It is definitely not a dry, boring math book. With every new concept, he starts you out with really easy concepts (using apples when explaining fractions or using a simple rice recipe when introducing reducing/enlarging formulas). It gives you a chance to wrap your head around what he's doing before getting into the pharmaceutical applications. Don't get me wrong, though... he definitely challenges you once you've had a chance to understand it.
   
   One of the first chapters in the book teaches you all about units & conversions. This is probably the most important chapter in the whole book because you have to use the info in it to be able to work all the other problems. He uses helpful tables that you can refer back to. From my own personal experience, a couple chapters after the units/conversions chapter, I'd flipped back to the tables enough that I had them memorized without trying.
   
   Rather than bogging you down with lots of formulas, he teaches how to solve most problems using simple logic and/or ration & proportion. There are a few formulas (I think I've used 3 so far), but he only uses them when necessary. I feel like the way I've learned to work problems from this book has much more real-world applicability than if I had learned a dozen formulas and panicked when I couldn't remember them on the job.
   
   Another thing I love & appreciate about this book is that, for example, if you're working a problem in chapter 8, he'll throw in steps from chapter 2 or 5 or 7 to keep you on your toes. In other words, you'll have to solve part of the problem using concepts you learned earlier in the book in order to get to what you need to solve the current problem. It keeps you refreshed on ALL the material so that you don't finish the book & find that you've forgotten half of it.
   
   The answers to the practice problems are also helpful. He not only gives you the answers in the back of the book, but he SHOWS how he got the answers and/or gives a brief explanation. Other books I looked at had reviews about lots of typos, but I've worked 10 of the 13 chapters in this book and have not had any problems.
   
   I HIGHLY recommend this book, especially if you're a self-studier like me. It takes away a lot of the anxiety about not having an instructor to ask for help because the book explains everything so well and in a friendly manner. I take the PTCE in 3 days, and after having put in some quality time with this book and taking some practice tests in other books, I feel very well prepared.
   
   *******************************************
   
   I received my PTCE score this week. Not only did I pass, but I got an 868 (the scale is 300-900; you need a 650 to pass). The majority of the test was math-related. I'm SO glad I used this book!

1 comments about Mastering Essential Math Skills PRE-ALGEBRA CONCEPTS (Mastering Essential Math Skills).

1. I reviewed all six of the new Mastering Essential Math Skills titles at the 2008 NCTM conference. As a math consultant, I was impressed by all of them. This particular title addresses a very important need. So many students enter their first algebra class with huge gaps in their foundational skills. This book does an excellent job of introducing the pre-algebra skills which are essential to success in algebra. Just like Fisher's original books, each lesson contains review, new material, with instruction, and problem solving. After having gone through this book, students will have the necessary skills to be successful in algebra and beyond. Excellent also for students who are struggling in their pre-algebra or algebra class. Highly recommended. An excellent summer refresher.

5 comments about Basic College Mathematics (6th Edition).

1. I was terribly disappointed as the text received is the instructors edition with all answers noted within the text. As a student of course this text was not what I thought I was purchasing. It was too late to return the text as the semester was in session at the time the text was purchased. I will definitely not use this service again as there will questions as to what I will receive and there is no time for returning and reordering text. Thanx for asking



2. at the ripe old age of 45, I had to retake math and for somebody whose math skills aren't above fourth grade, I dreaded the idea. This book made things easy for me. The only reason I do not give it 5 stars is that the algebra section was severely lacking but one math book cannot cover everything. I even used this book in my allied health math class and that book for that class STANK. I resorted back to this book many times as a refresher. My professor for the allied health math class would explain a long, drawn-out version of how to find an answer and a simple shortcut was supplied in this book. I would have the answer before the professor was even half way done with HIS method! I can't imagine ever giving up this book.



3. Not having paid much attention in school (60 yrs ago) and learning computer programming dicated the need for a refresher course in basic mathematics. The author's approach to teaching is to demonstrate the problem and its various solutions and then provide numerous (up to 60 or more problems for the student to work. Answers are provided only for the odd-numbered review exercises. Chapter tests and cumulative review exercises have answers to all the problems. The text is written in clear language that is easily understandable. As with all endeavors effort is needed on the part of the student. The title is somewhat misleading in that I view this book as a "review" or "refersher" course in basic math not as an introduction to college mathematics which I assumed to be on a much higher plane. At the present I am a third of the way through the book and enjoy it. I highly recommend this book for someone who needs to catch up on their abc's of math. Unlike a lot of books this one has plenty of the hands-on approach to doing math. If you need to learn numbers, this is the place to start.



4. I purchased this book for my personal library, and I was not disappointed by how the material in the book presents math in an enjoyable way.



5. This book was in good shape and cheap. It took a little longer than expected to get but not too bad. It was very helpful. Thank you.