Maths for Science - Softcover

Jordan, S.; Ross, S.; Murphy, P.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1848730055 ISBN 13: 9781848730052

Publisher: The Open University, 2008

Synopsis

Maths is a tool for representing and investigating the nature of the real world: it can simplify the huge complexity of natural processes, enabling us to make predictions and test assumptions. Without maths, the process of scientific enquiry would quickly stall. Yet, for many, maths is seen as a daunting, theory-filled subject, with little relevance to the real world.

Maths for Science overturns these misconceptions by providing a confidence-boosting overview of essential mathematical skills and techniques. With examples and practice problems throughout, it shows in a clear, unintimidating style why maths is so important to the study of science, and encourages you to develop the essential skills for yourself.

Building from the foundations of maths - numbers, fractions, and units and scales of measurement - the book leads you through a range of widely-used skills and concepts, including the handling of equations, logarithms, and the essentials of differentiation, probability and statistics, to provide a complete course of essential maths for science.

Online Resource Centre
For registered adopters of the text:
- Figures from the book in electronic format

For students:
- Additional exercises, with solutions, to supplement those in the book itself
- A flashcard glossary to help you master the essential terminology

About this title

Review

It is also good that they have devoted a whole chapter to the subject of units, which distinguishes this type of book from one written by a mathematician. This is certainly a book that I would consider using with more mathematically challenged students. Its presentation, coupled with starting at an appropriate level, make it one of the more accessible books on the market for this audience. (Paul Yates, Education in Chemistry)

About the Author

Sally Jordan is a senior lecturer in The Open University's Department of Physical Sciences and is a science staff tutor at The Open University in the East of England, responsible for the delivery of OU science modules throughout East Anglia. She has written teaching materials to develop mathematical skills across a range of Open University science modules, and is chair of the OU's introductory science module, Science Starts Here. Shelagh Ross and Pat Murphy each have more than 30 years' experience of Open University teaching in physics, biology and interdisciplinary science across a range of levels.

Edition details

• Publisher: The Open University
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1848730055
• ISBN 13: 9781848730052
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 264