About the Book
Multivariable Calculus with Mathematica is a textbook addressing the calculus of several variables. Instead of just using Mathematica to directly solve problems, the students are encouraged to learn the syntax and to write their own code to solve problems. This not only encourages scientific computing skills but at the same time stresses the complete understanding of the mathematics. Questions are provided at the end of the chapters to test the student’s theoretical understanding of the mathematics, and there are also computer algebra questions which test the student’s ability to apply their knowledge in non-trivial ways.
Features
Ensures that students are not just using the package to directly solve problems, but learning the syntax to write their own code to solve problems
Suitable as a main textbook for a Calculus III course, and as a supplementary text for topics scientific computing, engineering, and mathematical physics
Written in a style that engages the students’ interest and encourages the understanding of the mathematical ideas
Table of Contents:
1. Vectors in Rᶟ. 2. Some Elementary Curves and Surfaces in Rᶟ. 3. Functions of Several Variables. 4. Directional Derivatives and Extremum Problems. 5. Multiple Integrals. 6. Vector Calculus. 7. Elements of Tenor Analysis. 8. Partial Differential Equations.
About the Author :
Robert P. Gilbert is an applied analyst, who began studying function theoretic methods applied to partial differential equations. He and Jerry Hile originated the method of generalized hyperanalytic function theory. Professor Gilbert and James Buchanan applied this methodology to elastic materials. Further applications of the function theoretic method were made by Robert Gilbert, Steve Xu and James Buchanan to marine acoustics and inverse problems. From this point on Dr. Gilbert's research centered on bio-medical research, in particular the study of the rigidity of human bone and the disease osteoporosis. This research was twin pronged, part being focussed on cell-biology, with James Buchanan, and the other with Alex Panchenko on the homogenization of the micro-differential equations involved with bone mechanics. Further investigations were made in collaboration with Yvonne Ou and Michael Shoushani. Professor Gilbert became a full professor at Indiana University, Bloomington at the age of 34. At 43 he became the Unidell Foundation Chair of Mathematics at the University of Delaware. He has published over 300 articles in professional journals and conference proceedings. He is the Founding Editor of two mathematics journals Complex Variables and Applicable Analysis.
M. Yvonne Ou is an applied mathematician specializing in inverse problems, computational mathematics and rational approximations. Prior to joining the faculty of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, where she is currently a tenured associate professor, she was a research scientist member of the Computational Mathematics Group in the Oak Ridge Laboratory. This is her first book.
Michael Shoushani is an applied mathematician at Western Connecticut State University. His research interests are in transmission and inverse problems specifically related to poro-elasticity, partial differential equations, and numerical methods for partial differential equations. Professor Shoushani received his BA in mathematics from Western Connecticut State University and his MS and PhD both in Applied Mathematics from the University of Delaware.
Review :
"In Multivariable Calculus with Mathematica, authors [. . .] successfully create an textbook that engages with the material typically present in a Calculus III course (as well as some advanced topics discussed below), while simultaneously introducing students to Mathematica. They ensure that students are not only using the Mathematica to directly solve problems, but learn to write codes from scratch as they work through examples. And they write the text in a prose that stays engaging, pertinent to students’ interests, and encouraging as students work to understand challenging mathematical ideas. In these ways, the authors have created a successful text that would be suitable as a main textbook for a Calculus III course.
The text offers a robust look at the usual topics present in a Calculus III course. It begins with a treatment of vectors in R 3 and includes sections on Curves and Surfaces, Functions of Several Variables, Differential Calculus in Multiple Variables, Multiple Integrals, and Vector Calculus. I especially liked section 6.6: Applications of Gauss’ and Stokes’ Theorems, as these application topics can be underserved or left out from other texts due to time constraints. The final two chapters in this text focus on Tensor Analysis and Partial Differential Equations, including topics such as Riemannian space, covariant and contravariant tensors, the Christoffel symbols, and measurements of curvature. These final chapters deviate from the traditional Calculus III topics and provide the students with a unique introduction to material not typically taught until a graduate level course.
Mathematica is used well throughout the textbook. [. . .] Beyond Mathematica, the text also includes a number of features that benefit the reader. There are a number of clear and illuminating images of multivariable functions, quadric surfaces, doubly connected vs simply connected domains, and solutions to various exercises. At the end of each section, there are problems for students to try out their theoretical skills and there are computer algebra problems that test the student’s ability to apply the concepts learned.
The authors have taken a great deal of time, effort, and consideration to the standard topics covered in most Calculus III courses and have related the problems to Mathematica. It is a well-written book that can be used by many colleges and universities across many different types of courses. [. . .] I highly recommend this text for those instructors who are teaching such upper level courses or need ideas for an independent study for students."
– Mathematical Association of America
"This is an absolutely first-rank textbook in multivariable calculus. This book is not only for undergraduate students, but is also a good reference for scientists, especially engineers. It not only discusses scientific computing skills, but also the complete understanding of calculus.
I particularly like the material in Chapters 7 and 8. These two chapters discuss Elements of tensor analysis and partial differential equations. These two chapters help students (and researchers) to build up a solid background for modern analysis. I highly recommend this book"
– Der-Chen Chang, McDevitt Chair in Mathematics and Computer Science and Senior Advisor to the Provost for China Initiatives, Georgetown University
"This is a well-designed textbook on undergraduate multivariable calculus covering all topics usually included in third year calculus courses. Carefully selected examples from mechanics and electromagnetic theory provide links between multivariable calculus and applied sciences, while the last two chapters cover elements of tensor analysis and partial differential equations, and can be used in high-level undergraduate and introductory graduate courses. An amazing feature of the book is an integrated collection of Mathematica sessions that help students to learn and understand basic concepts and methods."
– Alexander Pankov, Professor, Morgan State University
"Under the philosophical principle: "Mathematics feeds Mathematica", this highly innovative Calculus III textbook prepares students for a comprehensive mathematical understanding of the subject matter coupled with programming skills."
– Roberto Triggiani, Distinguished University Professor, The University of Memphis and Emeritus Professor of Mathematics University of Virginia
"This textbook for third semester students gains a lot from R.P. Gilbert's background as a scholar of both physics and mathematics as well as from his two co-authors, Y. Ou and M. Shoushani, who were his doctoral students and continue as his research associates today. Most of the Mathematica sessions in the book, and the numerous exercises and examples, are from mathematical physics. These examples provide useful information about physics, frequently ignored today, which helps in understanding their applications in mathematics. In addition to the standard content of multivariable calculus, tensor analysis and partial differential equations are also included."
– Heinrich Begehr, FU Berlin
