Methods of Mathematical Physics, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

by R. Courant (Author), D. Hilbert (Author) "In the present volume we shall be concerned with many topics in mathematical analysis which are intimately related to the theory of linear transformations and..." (more)
Key Phrases: given homogeneous boundary conditions, prescribed homogeneous boundary conditions, asymptotic dimension, Cambridge University Press, General Remarks, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Since the first volume of this work came out in Germany in 1924, this book, together with its second volume, has remained standard in the field. Courant and Hilbert's treatment restores the historically deep connections between physical intuition and mathematical development, providing the reader with a unified approach to mathematical physics. The present volume represents Richard Courant's second and final revision of 1953.

About the Author
David Hilbert (1862 ¿ 1943) received his PhD from the University of Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia) in 1884. He remained there until 1895, after which he was appointed Professor of Mathematics at the University of Göttingen. He held this professorship for most of his life. Hilbert is recognized as one of the most influential mathematicians of the 19th and early 20th centuries. His own discoveries alone would have given him that honour, yet it was his leadership in the field of mathematics throughout his later life that distinguishes him. Hilbert's name is given to Infinite-Dimensional space, called Hilbert space, used as a conception for the mathematical analysis of the kinetic gas theory and the theory of radiations.

Richard Courant (1888 ¿ 1972) obtained his doctorate at the University of Göttingen in 1910. Here, he became Hilbert¿s assistant. He returned to Göttingen to continue his research after World War I, and founded and headed the university¿s Mathematical Institute. In 1933, Courant left Germany for England, from whence he went on to the United States after a year. In 1936, he became a professor at the New York University. Here, he headed the Department of Mathematics and was Director of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences - which was subsequently renamed the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. Among other things, Courant is well remembered for his achievement regarding the finite element method, which he set on a solid mathematical basis and which is nowadays the most important way to solve partial differential equations numerically.

Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience; 1 edition (January 4, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471504475
• ISBN-13: 978-0471504474
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #735,134 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book available, April 29, 2009

By	P. Mohanamuraly "Ramanuja dasan" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I would definitely not agree with any bad comments to this book. There are millions of books out there for you to workout problems and help you pass exams. But there is only one who actually teaches the subject and it's Courant. I don't expect literary genius out of a Mathematics book but clear development of the topics. The translation does a good job at it. Believe me if you really want to know the subject and get a feel for it read this book.This is not for the feckless as you will start defacing its stature with your comments. But the price tag is exorbitant and not many can afford to read this wonderful text. I had to borrow from my library as I cannot afford to buy one. 230+$ for two volumes is no joke especially for a student !!

6 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book is a classics, but perhaps not exhaustive, July 27, 2003

By A Customer

I think that this book is better in its original german than in english langauge. As to its content, it may perhaps not include all items of this thema, but the items include are treated with genius. The lack of problems to solve may be a draw back, but for me that is not much trouble because there are many books with many problems to solve. The interest of this book lies in its being a source book, though historically written down in 1924, it still mantains its beauty and its present mathematical value.

18 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This book is famous, but cannnot be described as classics., August 5, 2001

By	Wan Koon Yat "wankoonyat" (North Point Hong Kong) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I brought this book ( volume 2 also as well ) because of its " fame ", but when I read it, it has several draw backs. First, may be the original vesion is in German, so even with good translation, it seem does not fit in the usual English style we get used to .Also the topics it choose is too few and also the area covered is too narrow and not well co-ordinated. For example, the whole volumme I is almost dedicated to Calculus of variation only. In volume 2, the whole book is dedicted to differentiation equations. But that is not the greatest drawback. The most bad point is that the book just presents formulae after formulae, equations after equations, without giving examples of how to use it,and also no exercise for me to practice. Compared the the timeless classic " A course of mordern analysis " by Whittaker and Watson, it is definitely at a lower level. This book cannot be described as " classics ".