No label defined (Q4538745)

Previous editions and a translation of this work have already been reviewed in Zentralblatt MATH (Zbl 0814.00001, Zbl 0854.00006, Zbl 0879.00004). As the present reviewer has not seen these previous works, this work, stated to be a full revision, will be reviewed de novo and from the point of view of a user of mathematics rather than a mathematics specialist. Perhaps the best thing is therefore, to give an idea of the contents together with one or two comments. The book is divided into eight parts. The first is entitled elementary methods and includes topics such as an introduction to functions and elementary one-variable differentiation. The second part deals with matrix algebra and vectors and includes a brief introduction to the concepts of eigenvalues and eigenvectors. In the third part, on integration and differential equations, the authors give a fairly conventional account of integration and linear differential equations. In addition, topics such as impedance, an introduction to numerical and graphical solutions of first order equations and the phase plane are included. The fourth part utilises the ideas discussed previously to introduce the ideas of Laplace and Fourier transforms. In the fifth part the authors go on to discuss multivariate calculus. In this they deal with topics such as stationary values and the use of the vector operator \(\nabla\). In the sixth part, entitled discrete mathematics, a number of topics, not often mentioned in books of this nature such as Boolean algebra and graph (in the algebraic sense) theory are introduced. The seventh part gives a brief introduction to probability and statistics, including a discussion of the most common distributions. In each of these seven parts there are copious worked examples followed by a collection of examples, many of which illustrate some applications. The eighth and final part of a different nature is entitled symbolic computing and gives a number of problems which it is suggested could be solved by the use of Mathematica. However there is no treatment of this topic but a number of references are given. The book closes with answers to selected problems, a number of appendices giving formulae which supplement the text and tables of the normal distribution. There is also an adequate index. What of the book as a whole? The tone is friendly and leisurely. It is stated to be intended for users of mathematics and the first three chapters could, I thing, be useful as a text for A-level, even for prospective mathematicians. However, for higher level work for mathematicians, it will be necessary for a more rigorous approach to be indicated by the lecturer. With a title such as this, one might have expected a treatment of topics such as special functions and partial differential equations, but one cannot have everything and the authors, no doubt, feel, as they are entitled to, that an introduction to discrete mathematics, involving topics not often discussed within its purview of the title, is more justified. The standard of the printing is excellent (only one misprint was noticed) and the appearance of the book is pleasing. There could be a slight confusion as examples, figures, sections and exercises all involve the same system of reference (e.g. 23.7). However these are small matters. The book can be thoroughly recommended and the publishers are to be thanked for producing a \(1\frac 1 2\) Kgm blockbuster at a reasonable price.