A book that covers all the math a physicist will ever need?

In summary, there is no single book that covers all the mathematics a theoretical physicist will ever need, as different physicists use different types of math. However, a good starting point would be books such as Boas or Kreyszig, which cover topics such as vector and linear algebra, tensor algebra, calculus, analysis, functional analysis, probability theory, and Lie-group theory. It is important for a theoretical physicist to have a solid foundation in these subjects, as they can easily learn any specialized math topic when needed. It is also crucial to understand how mathematicians present their results and how to apply them to one's own research in physics, rather than trying to learn all possible math topics.
  • #1
Kalvino
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0
What is a good book, after mastering calculus, that covers all the mathematics a theoretical physicist will ever need?
 
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  • #3
Indeed, usually when starting some new project, you realize that there still is some math you don't know. That's research! It's important to have the standard repository of mathematical skills. As a theorist I'd say the following topics should be covered: vector/linear algebra, tensor algebra, vector (+tensor) calculus, analysis, elements of functional analysis (theory of distributions), probability theory, the Hilbert space, elementary Lie-group and -algebra theory including representation theory on Hilbert space.

From this basis you can learn any special math topic pretty easily when needed. So it's more impotant to learn the way (applied) mathematicians express their results and how to make them useful for your own research in physics than to just try to learn "all the math a physicist will ever need". E.g., an experimental physicist will need a lot of practical statistics for analyzing the results of his or her measurements, while a theorist interested in General Relativity will need a lot of differential geometry, which is (almost) useless for an experimentalist and vice versa.
 

Related to A book that covers all the math a physicist will ever need?

1. What topics are covered in the book?

The book covers a comprehensive range of mathematical concepts and formulas that are relevant to the field of physics, including calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and complex analysis. It also includes applications of these topics in various areas of physics such as mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics.

2. Is this book suitable for beginners in physics?

While the book assumes a basic understanding of physics, it is designed to be accessible to anyone with a strong foundation in mathematics. It provides clear explanations and examples to help readers grasp the concepts and their applications in physics.

3. Are there practice problems included in the book?

Yes, the book includes numerous practice problems and exercises to help readers apply the mathematical concepts to real-world physics problems. Solutions are also provided for reference.

4. Can this book be used as a reference for specific mathematical formulas?

Absolutely. The book is organized in a way that makes it easy to find specific formulas and concepts. It also includes a comprehensive index for quick reference.

5. Is this book suitable for self-study or is it better used as a textbook?

Both options are possible. The book can be used as a textbook for a course on mathematical methods in physics, but it can also serve as a valuable resource for self-study. Its clear explanations and practice problems make it a useful tool for independent learning.

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