A Student's Guide to Infinite Series and Sequences

An informal and practically focused introduction for undergraduate students exploring infinite series and sequences in engineering and the physical sciences.

Bernhard W. Bach, Jr. (Author)

9781107059825, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 May 2018

198 pages, 29 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.8 x 1.5 cm, 0.45 kg

'Ideal for students at an early stage in their physical sciences or engineering courses. … [Bernhard W. Bach, Jr's] writing style is relaxed and easy-going, and he is at pains to not overwhelm the reader with any unnecessary background detail. A broad range of material is covered and at a level deliberately accessible for those who have not yet studied more advanced mathematical methods.' J. M. Christian, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (ima.org.uk)

Why study infinite series? Not all mathematical problems can be solved exactly or have a solution that can be expressed in terms of a known function. In such cases, it is common practice to use an infinite series expansion to approximate or represent a solution. This informal introduction for undergraduate students explores the numerous uses of infinite series and sequences in engineering and the physical sciences. The material has been carefully selected to help the reader develop the techniques needed to confidently utilize infinite series. The book begins with infinite series and sequences before moving onto power series, complex infinite series and finally onto Fourier, Legendre, and Fourier-Bessel series. With a focus on practical applications, the book demonstrates that infinite series are more than an academic exercise and helps students to conceptualize the theory with real world examples and to build their skill set in this area.

Preface
1. Infinite sequences
2. Infinite series
3. Power series
4. Complex infinite series
5. Series solutions for differential equations
6. Fourier, Legendre, and Fourier-Bessel series
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Technology, engineering, agriculture [T], Physics [PH], Maths for scientists [PDE], Mathematics [PB], Mathematics & science [P]