Functions of a Complex Variable: Theory and Technique [Hardcover]

George F. Carrier (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0070100896 | ISBN-13: 978-0070100893 | Publication Date: March 1966 | Edition: 1St Edition

Functions of a complex variable are used to solve applications in various branches of mathematics, science, and engineering. Functions of a Complex Variable: Theory and Technique is a book in a special category of influential classics because it is based on the authors’ extensive experience in modeling complicated situations and providing analytic solutions. The book makes available to readers a comprehensive range of these analytical techniques based upon complex variable theory. Proficiency in these techniques requires practice. The authors provide many exercises, incorporating them into the body of the text. By completing a substantial number of these exercises, the reader will more fully benefit from this book. Based on graduate courses in applied mathematics, Functions of a Complex Variable: Theory and Technique is intended for applied mathematicians, scientists, engineers, and senior or graduate-level students who have advanced knowledge in calculus and are interested in such subjects as complex variable theory, function theory, mathematical methods, advanced engineering mathematics, and mathematical physics.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

‘[This volume] is a classic textbook and reference on the subject of complex variables. It established a gold standard against which all other texts in applied mathematics should be judged … As the authors intended, the theory part is concise and quickly leads the reader from an introduction to complex numbers to useful and powerful techniques, with applications to integral representation of special functions, transform and asymptotic methods in the complex plane, and integral equations, just to name a few. It is in the application of these techniques where the authors devoted most of the efforts. These were done masterfully. This book remains a relevant and must-read book for applied mathematicians today.’ K. K. Tung, Professor and Chair of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington

‘[This] is a book for those looking for applications of complex variables above and beyond what is found in standard elementary texts. I know of no single source where one finds such advanced topics as asymptotics, transforms, the Wiener-Hopf method, and dual and singular integral equations treated with such insight, thoroughness, and flair or where one finds such a rich, non-trivial collection of examples and exercises. Here is the power of complex variables as a practical tool on full display.’ Jim Simmonds, Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Virginia --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Book Description

Functions of a Complex Variable: Theory and Technique makes available to readers a range of analytical techniques based upon complex variable theory. It is a book in a special category of influential classics because it is based on the authors' extensive experience in modeling complicated situations and providing analytic solutions. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 438 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Inc.,US; 1St Edition edition (March 1966)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070100896
• ISBN-13: 978-0070100893
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #674,748 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars how about a more modern font?, January 2, 2008

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Functions of a Complex Variable: Theory and Technique (Classics in Applied Mathematics) (Paperback)

The book is a literal reprint of the 1966 edition. This includes the font in which that edition was printed. It would have helped if the publisher had recast the text in a more modern font, that current readers would find easier to read. Not that it's impossible with the original presentation, but there is a reason why fonts have changed in recent decades. Perhaps it would have added to the cost of this book to have done so.

Having said that, the text is a pleasure to read, at least for this reviewer, who studied complex analysis from Jerrold Marsden's "Basic Complex Analysis". The latter book is a more informal presentation than this. The current book emphasises the mathematical rigour, while Marsden focused on giving a pragmatic understanding of how to find contour integrals.

Compared to recent texts, Carrier's book is skimpy with diagrams. A more generous use of these would aid some readers new to the subject.