Partial differential equations form an essential part of the core mathematics syllabus for undergraduate scientists and engineers. The origins and applications of such equations occur in a variety of different fields, ranging from fluid dynamics, electromagnetism, heat conduction and diffusion, to quantum mechanics, wave propagation and general relativity.This volume introduces the important methods used in the solution of partial differential equations. Written primarily for second-year and final-year students taking physics and engineering courses, it will also be of value to mathematicians studying mathematical methods as part of their course. The text, which assumes only that the reader has followed a good basic first-year ancillary mathematics course, is self-contained and is an unabridged republication of the third edition published by Longman in 1985.

Most physical phenomena, whether in the domain of fluid dynamics, electricity, magnetism, mechanics, optics, or heat flow, can be described in general by partial differential equations. Indeed, such equations are crucial to mathematical physics. Although simplifications can be made that reduce these equations to ordinary differential equations, nevertheless the complete description of physical systems resides in the general area of partial differential equations. This highly useful text shows the reader how to formulate a partial differential equation from the physical problem (constructing the mathematical model) and how to solve the equation (along with initial and boundary conditions). Written for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals working in the applied sciences, this clearly written book offers realistic, practical coverage of diffusion-type problems, hyperbolic-type problems, elliptic-type problems, and numerical and approximate methods. Each chapter contains a selection of relevant problems (answers are provided) and suggestions for further reading.