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Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers
Most physical phenomena, whether in the domain of fluid dynamics, electricity, magnetism, mechanics, optics, or heat flow, can be described in general by partial differential equations. Indeed, such equations are crucial to mathematical physics. Although simplifications can be made that reduce these equations to ordinary differential equations, nevertheless the complete description of physical systems resides in the general area of partial differential equations.
This highly useful text shows the reader how to formulate a partial differential equation from the physical problem (constructing the mathematical model) and how to solve the equation (along with initial and boundary conditions). Written for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals working in the applied sciences, this clearly written book offers realistic, practical coverage of diffusion-type problems, hyperbolic-type problems, elliptic-type problems, and numerical and approximate methods. Each chapter contains a selection of relevant problems (answers are provided) and suggestions for further reading.
This highly useful text shows the reader how to formulate a partial differential equation from the physical problem (constructing the mathematical model) and how to solve the equation (along with initial and boundary conditions). Written for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals working in the applied sciences, this clearly written book offers realistic, practical coverage of diffusion-type problems, hyperbolic-type problems, elliptic-type problems, and numerical and approximate methods. Each chapter contains a selection of relevant problems (answers are provided) and suggestions for further reading.
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 17, 2016
This is a brilliant introductory book to the (mine)field of Partial Differential Equations.
It is a great introduction to the subject, fairly comprehensive (considering the subject) and very readable, and also with a pretty decent selection of useful accompanying exercises.
I appreciated that the author fairly consistently makes an effort to explain the underlying conceptual framework, and the intuition is greatly facilitated by the good choice of examples of applications in the physical world.
I also found it a nice surprise that the author did not limit the scope of the book to the traditional analytical methods (separation of variables, integral transforms, method of characteristics etc.), as other equally important approaches (such as variational and perturbation methods, and even hints of conformal mapping techniques) are also treated. Some basic numerical methods (finite-difference methods) are also explained.
The derivations are almost always accurate, comprehensive and relatively easy to follow, and there is a refreshingly surprising low number of typos (only a couple that I could find).
On the other hand, a very good knowledge of differential and integral calculus (including multivariate calculus), some linear algebra and, most importantly, a very good knowledge of ordinary differential equations, are an absolutely essential prerequisite for this book.
It must also be said that, in order to preserve readability and keep the size of the book to a reasonable level, there is in some parts less mathematical rigor than I would have liked, but on the other hand it is clear, from the title, that this book has been purposely designed with an applicative slant.
Overall, it is a very good introductory book, written (as per the author's description) "for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals working in the applied science". I enjoyed it thoroughly and I am very happy that I bought it and I took the time and I made the effort to read it.... the world of PDE's now looks somewhat less daunting to me :-).
March 17, 2010
I just couldn't make it through the book. I opened the book and the first sentence I read was "Everyone knows that F=ma." Now I have to beg to differ: not EVERYONE knows this. Including Marielle, Jenna, and me. So I told Ryan that I thought this author was writing off of false assumptions and I just wouldn't read it. :)
April 16, 2015
Good self-teaching book if you're willing to work hard. Presents the basics and points you to more advanced readings. Presentation of the material is in the most logical order of absolutely any PDE book I've ever used. My only need is the lack of problems.
May 13, 2015
It's not a horrible textbook, it's just not very clear. I sometimes had trouble following what they were talking about. They did go through and explain some concepts that other books tended to skip, though. I also like that they gave more chapters so that each chapter (lesson) was smaller and more manageable.
November 9, 2019
I used this as a supplementary text for a PDE course and found myself turning to it more often than the far more expensive "required" text forced on us by a publisher, of which the professor himself wasn't a fan. I'll need to dig it up again sometime as I don't recall much besides the straightforward explanations and clear diagrams. Probably ok for self-study and good value for the price overall.
December 4, 2014
Very gentle with fairly easy problems. Great introduction to the subject, excellent reading list for future progress. I especially appreciated the stuff on variational methods. Looking forward to Courant and Hilbert.
December 23, 2021
The subject matter is well-introduced, well organized, divided into short and easily digestible chapters, with thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter and references for further reading throughout. This _is_ the classic, I easily remember much of the concepts. Very useful.
June 17, 2017
A wonderful book which explains the concepts in an intuitive manner. Reading and learning from the book helped me to achieve a good grade as well :) A must read for anyone interested in understanding the basics of PDE and apply it to solve a wide variety of problems in image processing, sampling, numerical solutions etc.,
September 29, 2023
so much better than Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers by William Nesse. The university of Utah should heavily consider switching
August 6, 2020
A great book to self-study methods associated with PDEs. Have recommended to my students and will continue to recommend.
November 29, 2009
It's a good book to improve your intuition of physical phenomena. But not a proper reference for studying PDEs. It doesn't direct you how to solve a PDE question, but it shows you how some kinds of important PDE questions can be solvable!
I DO NOT recommend this book, as the first PDE book.
I DO NOT recommend this book, as the first PDE book.
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April 5, 2013I highly recommend this book to scientist and engineers. This book launch to teach PDE with excellent approach. this book change my mind about PDE. I deeply appreciate Prof.Farlow the author of book.
November 3, 2007
Simple language, lots of pictures, basics about many different topics. Also lightweight and inexpensive. Not the most rigorous but excellent for preparing to read my actual textbook.
February 23, 2010
First year engg course on maths
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September 27, 2011So important for me
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews