Basic Partial Differential Equations [Hardcover]

David Bleecker; George Csordas (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1571460365 | ISBN-13: 978-1571460363 | Publication Date: July 1, 1997

For students with three semesters of calculus, this book is self-contained. In particular, Section 1.1 contains a complete treatment of the relevant types of ordinary differential equations. No previous course in ordinary differential equations or linear algebra is necessary. There are approximately 280 examples worked out in detail, and 600 exercises ranging from routine to challenging. Answers to selected problems appear in the back of the book. Rigorous proofs of nearly all results used are given after ample physical motivation. The book documents extensive applications, including: heat conduction, wave propagation, vibrations of strings, square drums, round drums, spheres and manifolds, traffic flow shocks, evolution of population densities, fluid flow, electrostatics, minimal surfaces, gravitation, quantum mechanics (including the determination of the bound states of the hydrogen atom). Convenient summaries appear at the end of each section. Theorems and definitions are clearly off-set in boxes. The book contains 97 figures, illustrations and tables (graphs of mathematical functions of one or several variables were computer generated.).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 756 pages
• Publisher: International Press of Boston (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571460365
• ISBN-13: 978-1571460363
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #239,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introductory book on PDEs, February 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Basic Partial Differential Equations (Hardcover)

After searching through dozens of texts on PDEs, this one not only has the clairity to explain approaches and techniques to tackle different types of PDEs in a methodical manner, but also has the breadth to keep you busy learning! Really a great text.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! What an easy and excellent review!!, March 8, 2007

By 

B "Biju" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basic Partial Differential Equations (Hardcover)

I was looking for an easy and readable book on basic partial differential equations after taking an ordinary differential equations course at my local community college. Since I had an excellent teacher for the ordinary differential equations course the textbook was not as important. This was truly fortunate since the ODE text was only minimally helpful!
However, David Bleecker's PDE text is a wonderful and easy read for a difficult and challenging second course in this area. I used it as a self-study course guide and found it truly helpful in getting an overview and understanding the basics of the course. I'm sure it would be invaluable to anyone interested in this course and definitely as an aid for anyone taking this course at the college or graduate level.
Good luck!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding PDE Book, June 16, 2011

By 

Calc - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basic Partial Differential Equations (Hardcover)

This book is quite simply one of the BEST partial differential equation books I've read. I've read Strauss' PDE: An Introduction 1st Edition, and as far as I can tell that book is pretty worthless. Also, I've read the PDE book by Haberman, and it's nearly up to this book but not quite. For Strauss' book, all it does is mention things and doesn't explain them either at all or it explains them in as little detail as possible with an expectation the student is either a graduate mathematics student or is very well versed (an expert A++ student) in ODE's and other math. A PDE book should be VERY THICK much like a calc. book, but Strauss' book is a thin, little thing that's about 425 pages, including the index. However, don't let the page number fool you, because it's printed in large font and the book is very small in dimensions. Bleecker and Csorda's book is 735 pages, including the index. However, it's the size of a regular textbook, and there are hundreds more worked examples and derivations of procedure/methods. So, it's SIGNIFICANTLY larger. Also, Haberman's book is nearly 600 pages, including the index, and it's a large book with smaller font but it doesn't have as many worked examples; so, you get the comparison. I only mention size because it usually indicates detail.

Let me tell you, this book is detailed and it assumes the reader knows NOTHING about PDE's and how to solve them. That's how general math books should be written, in my opinion. I think PDE's are as important and fundamental as calculus and the subject should be taught as if it were that important. ODE's are of high importance, but there are so many excellent ODE books; that isn't really the case when it comes to PDE books. This is probably because they hope you had a good ODE book/teacher and don't want to "bore" you.

That being said, I really don't know why this book isn't used that often at universities and colleges, but it should be. It may be because it's not quite an advanced/basic book in one. It's probably only for a one semester course. However, I think that it's every bit as mathematically rigorous as Strauss' book if not more so; only, it actually seeks to impart knowledge to the reader. Strauss' book does a poor job at that, and go look at the ratings if you don't believe me. If you're stuck at a school that uses Strauss' book, this is an excellent supplement or even replacement. It follows Strauss' book in organization fairly closely, but most PDE books present things in the same order anyway.

I know that my review isn't very detailed, but I just want you to see for yourself how good this book really is. It's not a waste of beer money! Get it, even if you think you're too smart for it, because at the very least it would make an excellent reference.