Mathematics for Physicists

‘A concise and engaging exposition of the mathematics necessary for physics students.’ Juan Maldacena, Institute for Advanced Study‘… an outstanding addition to the existing stock of books on mathematical methods. It is rigorous, yet readable, and up to date, covering topics like differential forms, which are more and more in use in many areas of physics. An invaluable part of the book that contributes greatly to its pedagogical mission is the vast collection of exercises and their solutions.’ R. Shankar, Yale University‘This book takes the physics student along a well-planned trip through mathematics from high school geometry to graduate-level tensor calculus. The key concepts are introduced with a degree of care and precision that is unusual in a book for physicists - but the precision is well motivated, so not at all intimidating. The book is up to date in its contents, especially as it includes the calculus of differential forms, now an essential tool in the professional physicist’s toolbox.’ Michael Stone, University of Illinois‘It contains all the material required in the undergraduate curriculum and emphasises a pedagogical strategy that presents a unified approach of concepts and methods, whereas most mathematics books for physicists tend to concentrate on methods.’ Mike Glazer, Acta Crystallographica

Alexander Altland is Professor of Theoretical Physics at the Universität zu Köln. His areas of specialization include quantum field theory and the physics of disordered and chaotic systems. He is co-author of the textbook Condensed Matter Field Theory (2nd edition, Cambridge, 2010). He received the Albertus Magnus Teaching Award of the faculty of mathematics and natural sciences of Universität zu Köln.

Jan von Delft is Professor of Theoretical Physics at the Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munchen. His research is focused on mesoscopic physics and strongly interacting electron systems. For his engagement in teaching, utilizing electronic chalk and ‘example+practice’ problem sheets including example problems with detailed solutions, he received a Golden Sommerfeld teaching award.