Guide to Essential Math
WHAT IS THE COMPLEMENTARY SCIENCE SERIES? The Complementary Science Series is an introductory, interdisplinary, and relatively inexpensive series of paperbacks for science enthusiasts. The series covers core subjects in chemistry, physics, and biological sciences but often from an interdisciplinary perspective. They are deliberately unburdened by excessive pedagogy, which is distracting to many readers, and avoid the often plodding treatment in many textbooks. These titles cover topics that are particularly appropriate for self-study although they are often used as complementary texts to supplement standard discussion in textbooks. Many are available as examination copies to professors teaching appropriate courses. The series was conceived to fill the gaps in the literature between conventional textbooks and monographs by providing real science at an accessible level, with minimal prerequisites so that students at all stages can have expert insight into important and foundational aspects of current scientific thinking. Many of these titles have strong interdisciplinary appeal and all have a place on the bookshelves of literate laypersons. More information on titles appearing in the Complementary Science Series may be viewed at http://books.elsevier.com We hope you will enjoy this book.
Guide to Essential Math A review for Physics, Chemistry and Engineering Students
S. M. Blinder University of Michigan Ann Arbor USA
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In honor of our son Matthew Bryant Blinder on the occasion of his 21st birthday
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To the Reader
Let me first tell you how the idea for this book came about. Many years ago, when I was a young assistant professor, I enthusiastically began my college teaching in a junior-level course that was supposed to cover quantum mechanics. I was eager to share my recently acquired insights into the intricacies of this very