What is Textbooks: Definition and 460 Discussions

A textbook is a book containing a comprehensive compilation of content in a branch of study with the intention of explaining it. Textbook are produced to meet the needs of educators, usually at educational institutions. Schoolbooks are textbooks and other books used in schools. Today, many textbooks are published in both print and digital formats.

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  1. T

    Other What Are the Best Textbooks for Self-Studying HSC Biology and Chemistry?

    So I am in the area in between years 10-11. I am currently on exchange and I have a lot of time so I thought I would study for year 11's topics so that the next few years would be easier. The main subjects I wan't to focus on are Biology and Chemistry. I had bought a book without doing any real...
  2. E

    Calculus Really need to read the textbook?

    Hello everybody, I am taking a calculus 1 course at my local community college this summer. I was wondering if it is absolutely necessary to read the textbook in math because I see it that the professor teaches the theory and techniques in lecture, and covers the same exact material. Right? What...
  3. F

    Mathematics for Engineers – Good courses, textbooks etc?

    I am trying to work my way through Stephen Pope's "Turbulent Flows". I'm finding that my Achilles heel (as has been throughout my undergraduate degree) is maths. Since this book is essentially applied maths, I'm finding it difficult. So I'd like to simultaneously work through a course in...
  4. bcrowell

    What is the significance of the recent LIGO result and its impact on textbooks?

    The recent LIGO result seems likely to lead to a lot of rewriting of textbooks. Some topics that occur to me: (1) Obviously it needs to be discussed in any GR textbook's discussion of gravitational waves. (2) The fact that the waveform matches so well with GR calculations seems to be extremely...
  5. B

    Other Interested in purchasing Russian textbooks in mathematics

    Dear Physics Forum friends, I recently got interested in the Russian textbooks in mathematics, which I am completely blown away by their exposition, insights, and excellent problem sets. I have been reading translated versions of Russian books written by authors like Kolmogorov, Arnold, and...
  6. H

    Calculus Will this calculus book 'clear' me for mechanics textbooks?

    Hey, I'm one of those people who's been trying to learn Physics for ages before finishing high school (writing it down like this really makes me sound like some hopeless nerd with nothing better to do..) but never got around to doing it because my calculus knowledge sucks so much. :-) My...
  7. J

    Linear Algebra Which one of these Linear Algebra textbooks is the best?

    I want a good linear algebra textbook in order to learn to use linear algebra in physics but also to use it in more theoretical mathematics courses. I hope that with this poll i will also help others that want to study from a proper Linear Algebra textbook.
  8. G

    Intro Math Math Learning: VIC AUS High School Grad Looking for Resources

    Hi. I've recently finished high school and am planning to study science/physics, hence I'll be doing a lot of calculus courses but I'm looking to do more than that. I was looking to find some good sources, whether they be online or in textbook format or whatever. As for where I'm at currently, I...
  9. G

    Quantum mechanics and mathematical physics textbooks

    Hello!can someone propose a good textbook for quantum mechanics and mathematical physics(including green function)?I would like to buy those books so i want something which is one of the best to have in your libraby!
  10. M

    Solid State Looking for Solid State Physics Textbooks? Check Out These Top Picks!

    Hi everyone, I was hoping you guys could recommend some good solid-state physics textbooks or lecture notes. Thanks in advance.
  11. dsatkas

    Algebra Math textbooks for physics grad student and other questions

    I hope this post won't become too tedious. I've completed my undergrad studies in physics and if things go well i will begin my master's degree in April. The thing is, since my path to graduation has been peculiar (to say the least) I'm kinda weak in maths skills atm and need to improve. I'm...
  12. BluberryPi

    Other Free Online Math and Science Textbooks

    Hey, everyone. I am in 7th grade, but skipped a grade in science and 2 in math. To prepare for hard high school and college, I want to find a website where there are free online high school and college math and science textbooks, for free! Can someone recommend a site?
  13. andrewkirk

    Quantum Physics textbooks on Kindle or other e-books

    For two books that have been recommended today on PhysForums, when I followed the links to look them up (both Amazon links) I saw they were available on Kindle as well as hard copy. This seems to me to be a new development, as I can't remember seeing any e-book versions of technical mathematical...
  14. Soumalya

    Engineering A choice for a Heat and Mass Transfer Reference TextBook

    Which of the two books would you pick as an undergraduate engineering student if you were to study the subject of Heat and Mass Transfer entirely on your own? 1. Heat and Mass Transfer: Fundamentals and Applications by Cengel & Ghajar 2. Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer by...
  15. sunrah

    Classical English equivalents of German (pub. Springer) textbooks

    Hi, anyone who studied in Germany will be familiar with the theoretical and experimental physics books written by Nolting and Demtroeder respectively. These books are really the standard at undergraduate level but are much more rigorous and detailed than a lot of English language textbooks, e.g...
  16. A

    Calculus A good calculus book for physics

    I am an advanced 8th grader and I'm very interested in physics. However, I want to study calculus first (I know precaculus, but I will study it a bit further before beginning calculus). Does anyone have recommendations for good, interesting calculus books if my main goal in studying it now (as...
  17. Z

    Calculus Good calculus textbook for physics, and vice versa?

    There are two textbooks each of calculus and physics which interest me. I am almost finished Stewart's Precalculus, which I have spent countless hundreds of hours on over these last couple of months in autodidactic zeal; and I am intent upon doing over a calculus textbook before moving on to...
  18. davidbenari

    Studying Are we supposed to read chapters in textbooks?

    I currently study undergraduate physics. I used to have the philosophy that the only way you really learn stuff was by reading all the chapters in the textbook. But now I'm on my 5th semester taking upper-level undergraduate courses and starting to think this philosophy will drain all my energy...
  19. Alive

    Intro Physics Best AP Physics 1&2 Textbooks for Self-Study: Giancoli and Serway/Vuille Review

    I will be a sophomore this year, and I intend to self-study AP Physics 1&2. I took a non-math based semester intro course last year, so I'm basically going in blind. I've done my research and I'm intending to use Physics: Principles with Applications (7th Edition) (Douglas C. Giancoli) and...
  20. LittleMrsMonkey

    Studying Books (not textbooks) for introduction to subjects

    I want to read some books on the major different fields(solid state,computational and any other except from medical physics and the astro,theoretical,cosmo stuff) in order to get a feel for what I might want to pursue later on my degree.I don't want it to be a textbook as you might agree...
  21. F

    Quantum Recommended Textbooks for Quantum Field Theory and Antiparticles

    Hello All, I was wondering if anybody could recommend some really good, graduate-level textbooks or sources on quantum field theory and antiparticles. I've browsed through several QFT titles, but if anyone has any books they think would be a good grad-level introduction I'd be grateful...
  22. Frederica Salt

    Finding the Perfect EE Book for Beginners

    Suggestion for best book for basic EE please. I think I need the very basic one. Please. :biggrin:
  23. S

    Good introductory textbooks for group theory

    Hi there. Can anybody recommend a good textbook for an undergraduate wanting to study group theory (especially representation theory). I'm thinking of reading "visual group theory" by Carter for conceptual understanding but I also need a book to study alongside this that gives a more formal...
  24. omega5

    Free, accurate Physics (& Math) textbooks

    I love free textbooks (especially since standard ones are so expensive), and I discovered this site, OpenCulture, which maintains a list of free textbooks, each authored by university professors or departments of education. Scroll down to "Physics" or "Mathematics" for the links: Hope this helps!
  25. T

    Complementary self-studies during my undergrad

    I've just made it through my freshman physics year (covering introductory Linear algebra, Mechanics, Single- and multivariable calculus, Thermodynamics, Wave Theory, and Scientific computing). Due to some health issues, I am essentially unable to attend lectures, but I am, to be frank, a gifted...
  26. B

    Algebra Seeking Recommendation on Abstract Algebra textbooks

    Dear Physics Forum advisers, My name is Phoenix, a sophomore with major in mathematics and an aspiring applied mathematician in the theoretical computing. I wrote this email to seek your recommendation on the textbooks for abstract algebra. I want to self-study the abstract algebra during...
  27. F

    Figure drawing software for textbooks and ebooks (education)

    Hi, I'm looking for a great software for drawing illustrations in physics (Graphs, geometry, box drawings, integral and area 2d Graphs) and perhaps some trigonometry (triangles, Graphs, unit circles with angles/degree). I'm on a windows computer and the purpose is for making textbooks and ebooks?
  28. M

    Linear Algebra Thoughts on Linear Algebra with Applications / 5e Bretscher

    Hey y'all! I am taking my first linear algebra course next semester and we are using Bretscher's book. I have heard some pretty awful things about the way it is laid out, so I would like to hear your thoughts on the text. For some background information I have completed Calculus 1-3 (using...
  29. D

    What are the best textbooks for learning Fourier analysis and its applications?

    Hello all, I'm a third year university physics major. I haven't read much on Fourier analysis however I have had been introduced to it through an oscillations and waves class. My professor was saying that it can be applied to many different areas and is extremely helpful tool to have under your...
  30. B

    Linear Algebra Seeking Recommendation on Linear Algebra Textbooks

    Dear Physics Forum personnel, I am a college sophomore in U.S. with a major in mathematics and an aspiring algebraic number theorist. I wrote this email to seek a recommendation on one or two outstanding linear algebra textbook that can supplement the Linear Algebra (Friedberg et al.), which...
  31. M

    Other AP textbooks for Physics and Calculus

    Hi, I'm studying on my own for AP exams a year from now and need some advice on which books to get. I'm taking AP calculus (AB or BC, haven't decided yet), AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, and AP Physics C: Mechanics. I already have a Calculus book by Ron...
  32. Zackary Miller

    Engineering Good Textbooks on Fast Reactors and/or Breeder Reactors?

    Does anyone know of any good textbooks on fast reactors and/or breeder reactors?
  33. chadsalt

    Engineering Electronics textbook recommendations to self-learn

    Hi all, I am starting an internship with Lockheed Martin on Tuesday, May 26. I have just been notified of my duties, which will involve resolving issues with hydrophones/transducers. I am looking for recommendations of good textbooks that I could refer to during this internship. I am a rising...
  34. anti quark

    Other Physics textbook for self study

    I need textbook recommendations for self studying physics. I thought of buying the classic Halliday Resnick Walker Fundamentals of Physics, but was confused about which edition I need to buy. I plan to teach myself the whole of basic physics, thus forming a base to further study certain topics...
  35. H

    Cosmology Which textbooks should a physics undergraduate read?

    Is the following a good recommendation? Special relativity: Introduction to Special Relativity, by Robert Resnick (Wiley 1968) Electromagnetism: Introduction to Electrodynamics, 3rd ed., by David J. Griffiths Classical mechanics: Classical Mechanics, 3rd ed., by Goldstein, Poole & Safko Quantum...
  36. B

    Studying How to study multiple textbooks per math subject?

    Dear Physics Forum personnel, I am a college sophomore in US with double majors in mathematics and microbiology. I apologize for this sudden interruption but I wrote this email to seek your advice regarding to utilizing multiple textbooks per mathematical field. I always thought that...
  37. B

    Calculus Why "Transition Books (Apostol, Spivak)" are necessary?

    Dear Physics Forum friends, Why so many people recommend Spivak, Apostol, and Courant calculus textbooks, especially as a preparation toward the advanced courses like analysis and abstract algebra? Are they really necessary? I have been studying Apostol's Mathematical Analysis, Rudin's PMA...
  38. AJBMuir

    Intro Physics Best textbooks on condensed matter physics?

    Looking for textbook recommendations for condensed matter physics at both undergrad and graduate level. Preferably to self teach with, and including questions/answers.
  39. Emmanuel_Euler

    What are the best physics books, textbooks?

    what is the best book to understand general,classic and modern physics ??
  40. N

    Algebra Are There Any Good Textbooks That Teach Algebra 2 and Trigonometry Together?

    Hey PF, as my thread a week or two ago said I am currently planning on taking a college Calc and Analytic Geometry class with formal education only up to Geometry. I am very proficient in Geometry, good in algebra 1, have some experience in Trig and a little in Algebra 2. For this reason I was...
  41. B

    Calculus What makes Mike Spivak's math textbooks popular and difficult?

    Hi, everyone I was directed here by a poster in another thread and thought I'd post my question to you guys in this area of the forums. I had some questions about Mike Spivak's math textbooks. It was alluded to in another thread that his books are quite difficult. Yet, from what I can...
  42. C

    Other Recommended Math self-study book

    Hi, I'm currently waiting for admission into an engineering course at a local university,however,it has been a long time since I did any real math and most of the math was taught to us in a "plug & play" manner. I want to ensure that my mathematics fundamentals are strong enough so that it...
  43. L

    Other Maths textbooks for self-study

    I am a 1st-year physics student and over the summer am planning on self-studying some extra maths courses. I was considering geometry, statistics, and algebra as these seem to not require too many prerequisites and are useful in physics. Could anyone recommend some good textbooks/online...
  44. M

    Other Need some good physics textbooks

    Hello everyone, This semester I'm taking the following important classes in physics and I was hoping you guys could help me out a little and state which good books you know concern the subjects. The courses are Quantum Mechanics 1, Statistical and Thermal Physics and lastly Electromagnetism and...
  45. Cosmophile

    Calculus Serge Lang vs Larson & Edwards (Calculus)

    I have a copy of both Lang's text and Larson and Edwards' text, and was wondering which would be best for someone looking for a deeper understanding of Calculus. Any and all advice is welcome here! I was working through Kleppner & Kolenkow's Introduction to Mechanics and decided I need a much...
  46. W

    Intro Physics Self-study physics - not-quite-beginner

    I've spent the last 4 years doing a chemistry degree, and before that I did maths, chemistry and biology at 6th form. (that's junior & senior year at high school if you're from across the Atlantic). So I've learned about a decent amount of science but with a distinct lack of physics, which I'm...
  47. B

    Analysis  on Selecting the Real Analysis textbooks

    Dear Physics Forum friends, I am a sophomore in US with double majors in mathematics and microbiology. I am interested in self-studying the real analysis starting now since it will help me on my current research on computational microbiology, prepare for upcoming math research (starting on...
  48. FuturePhysicist

    Other Math Textbooks: Intermediate/Advanced Series for Physicists

    Hello I was looking for a volume set in intermediate/advanced math and I can't seem to find anything. I already have a book in calculus 2 but I'm looking to self study everything after that through advanced math. I want to be a theoretical physicist, but I'm open to learning interesting math...
  49. Tim1993

    Intro Physics Comprehensive beginner maths and physics textbooks?

    Hey guys, So I've recently decided that I will apply to study a Bachelor of Science in 2016, and to spend this year acquiring the prerequisites that I missed when I was in high school. I've been learning maths on Khan Academy, and have just applied to an introductory maths course. After this, I...
  50. C

    Introductory textbooks for Supersymmetry?

    Hi everyone, As of late I've been really wanting to push on with my interest in particle Physics by tackling the rather daunting theoretical model that we call supersymmetry. However, to put it simply, I'm not entirely sure where to start! There's so many different textbooks on the subject out...
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