Mathematical Methods in Physics

Victor Henner, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA Tatyana Belozerova, Perm State University, RussiaKyle Forinash, Professor of Physics and Program Coordinator, Indiana University Southeast, New Albany, USA

• Fourier Series. Sturm-Liouville Theory. One-Dimensional Hyperbolic Equations. Two-Dimensional Hyperbolic Equations. One-Dimensional Parabolic Equations. Parabolic Equations for Higher-Dimensional Problems. Elliptic Equations. Bessel Functions. Legendre Functions. Eigenvalues and Eigenfunctions of the Sturm-Liouville Problem Auxiliary Functions for Different Types of Boundary Conditions. The Sturm-Liouville Problem and the Laplace Equation. Vector Calculus. How to Use the Software Associated with this Book.

In comparison with typical introductions to partial differential equations, the book and attached software are significantly more detailed. It explains various examples of physical problems and solves related partial differential equations under different types of boundary conditions. The authors do more with special functions and carry out examples of Fourier analysis using these functions. The book, along with the software, can also be considered as a reference book on PDEs, Fourier series and some of the special functions for students and professionals. As a text, this book can be used in an advanced course on mathematical physics (or related courses) for advanced students of engineering, physics, mathematics, and applied mathematics.—Soheila Emamyari and Mehdi Hassani, MAA Reviews, November 2009[Henner, Forinash, and Belozerova] address the main topics of many courses in mathematical physics within the fields of engineering, physics, mathematics, and applied mathematics. The texbook and accompanying software are significantly more detailed than typical introductions to partial differential equations, they say, and provide examples on setting up physical problems as mathematical ones, solving partial differential equations under different types of boundary conditions, working with special functions, and carrying out a Fourier analysis using these functions. The software provides a simple interface, and does not require students to learn a programming language. —Book News Inc., September 2009