Vector Analysis (Dover Books on Mathematics)

L. Brand's Vector Analysis is a special book. Especially for physics students used to learning the subject from physics textbooks. There is a chapter for each of Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics, and electrodynamics. The postulates for each theory are clearly and explicitly stated (e.g. Maxwell's equations for electrodynamics). However those are merely applications of the mathematical theory. And the mathematics is absolutely beautiful. Much like analytic geometry, vector analysis conveys geometric information through algebraic equations. Though VA happens to be optimized for motion in 3 dimensions (e.g. a point moving along a curve).Before purchasing this book you'll want to know basic calculus. And some basic geometric facts: two intersecting lines in space, and 3 points in space, form a plane, the Pythagorean theorem, the SAS rule for similar triangles, etc. You might have to look up what a Jacobian is as well.

No doubt this is an excellent introduction to the topic. Plenty of examples, interesting applications, well-organized; even though the original edition dates back to 1957, I think it is still one of the best books on the subject. The first chapter shows the power of vector methods, and once one gets familiar with them (mathematical) life becomes easier. Physical and engineering problems are illuminating. I recommend it without reservations.

Great book

Excellent text for review. Solutions for all problems are provided. Will be utilized in conjunction with my other studies and projects.

I was looking for an introduction to vector analysis suitable for high school seniors taking calculus. The book in its own right is excellent but I felt was too advanced for my purposes.

It is an old book

It has been over 60 years since the first publish of the original book. Therefore, many old-fashioned mathematical notations are used all over the book which lead to a rough read. 3 stars.

Gr8. 9/10.

Excellent book! Only old grad, rot, div are used instead of del operators. In such a compact book such amount of subject mattere is exactly done with no loss of clarity and lucidity. Thank you Sir.

This is a really brilliant book. It covers a wide range of aspects of vector analysis. I respect the author greatly in all the work involved with writing the text. I will point out however that much of the content of the book is way way too difficult for me to understand. It is degree level maths! All I got in maths is a grade E for A level Pure Maths and a grade A for O level Additional Maths. I would really have appreciated some examples that are really bridging material to emphasise the transition between A level Maths and degree level Maths. Also I do realise that as degree level maths books are, this one seems to me as having Oxford and Cambridge material in it. I have come across easier degree level maths books than this. What is really lacking in this book is some straightforward examples on gradient, divergence and curl. It moves on rapidly and the book can make people not realise what degree level maths they can understand when they might not be able to understand much of what's in the book. My general summary is that the book is really for the expert mathematician who is likely to get an Oxford or Cambridge degree in mathematics.

Great book. Delivery as promised. Great service.Thank you.

Received on time, at advertised,