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Bridging the Gap to University Mathematics
£13.90£15.20 (-9%)
Helps to ease the transition between school/college and university mathematics by (re)introducing readers to a range of topics that they will meet in the first year of a degree course in the mathematical sciences, refreshing their knowledge of basic techniques and focussing on areas that are often perceived as the most challenging. Each chapter starts with a “Test Yourself” section so that readers can monitor their progress and readily identify areas where their understanding is incomplete. A range of exercises, complete with full solutions, makes the book ideal for self-study.
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Additional information
| Publisher | 2009th edition (1 Feb. 2009), Springer |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 355 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1848002890 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1848002890 |
| Dimensions | 17.81 x 2.08 x 23.5 cm |
by L
Excellent book. I bought it to get me back into maths as I went back to Uni after a few years to do physics (involving a number of mathematics modules) and some of my maths work was rusty. The author gives you a confidence boost by telling you that she herself struggled with maths at first year uni and goes on to introduce and cover topics briefly but with great explanation. This is a good book for anyone who is worried about the step up to higher education mathematics or for anyone who is returning to it after a number of years as I was.
by Jazzrook
As someone whose ‘A’ levels in pure & applied maths were taken around 60 years ago I was searching for a book that would revive my interest in the subject.
I eventually came across this book by Martin Gould & Edward Hurst which I found surprisingly accessible and written in an engaging manner.
The 20 chapters discuss ‘Inequalities’; ‘Trigonometry, Differentiation and Exponents’; ‘Polar Coordinates’; ‘Complex Numbers’; ‘Vectors’; ‘Matrices’; ‘Matrices as Maps’; ‘Separable Differential Equations’; ‘Integrating Factors’; ‘Mechanics’; ‘Logic, Sets and Functions’; ‘Proof Methods’; ‘Probability’; ‘Distributions’; ‘Making Decisions’; ‘Geometry’; ‘Hyperbolic Trigonometry’; ‘Motion and Curvature’; ‘Sequences’ & ‘Series’.
I would recommend ‘Bridging the Gap to University Mathematics’ as a refresher course in advanced maths or in preparation for a maths degree course.
by Classical connoisseur
The title is ‘Bridging the Gap’. However the contents should be well known to all those who have sat an A level mathematics exam – especially those hoping to continue their mathematical studies at the next level. There is no coverage of any material at a level beyond A level – so I don’t see how this book could be considered as a ‘bridge’ to higher study. The only section which could be called a ‘bridge’ is Appendix B Extension Questions (there is also worked answers to these questions) which contains some interesting questions. Hence 2 stars rather than 1 star.
On the plus side, it is written in an easy-to-read informal style and provides some helpful explanations of the material it does cover. IMO this book is more targeted at less-able A level students wanting an alternative ‘take’ on the topics covered. I particularly liked the explanations of inequalities and critical values – but this is just basic A level material. IMO there are other available books that do provide a bridge between A level and University Mathematics (eg Earl’s Towards Higher Mathematics, Houston’s How to Think Like a Mathematician).
I would recommend that anyone contemplating buying this book based upon its title study closely the ‘Look Inside’ provided pages to make sure its coverage is what is wanted/expected. IMO a disappointment.
by M. F. Cayley
This is an exceptionally lucid exposition of some key aspects of mathematics needed for university-level study, with (mainly fairly straightforward) exercises to check comprehension (answers at the back). Readers are likely to be familiar with some of the topics covered from previous studies, but even for these the book serves as a very good refresher. The chapters deal with inequalities, various aspects of geometry and trigonometry, polar co-ordinates, complex numbers, matrices, separable differential equations, integrating factors, basic mechanics, sets, logic, proof, probability, statistical distributions, decision maths, sequences and series. An appendix of extra exercises contains some rather more complex problems, for which there are fully worked solutions. There is also an appendix of useful formulae. The book is comprehensible to those with relatively little formal training in maths, and covers an interesting range of topics, so it is well suited to non-students wanting to delve further into maths. There is a heavy emphasis on concepts, rather than just on techniques. Thoroughly enjoyable, and fully recommended.
by DCC Gaster
I have very little to say in criticism of this fascinating and beautifully presented book. It is this. Based upon graphical solutions to inequalities, I cannot always see why a solution takes a particular form. Looking for example at problems 1.2.7 and 1.2.8 which involve graphs of a similar form, why are the solutions written in a different way and could they be explained, especially 1.2.8.? Apart from this, I am enthralled to discover a mathematics book which describes with such clarity and economy the basic principles of undergraduate studies that someone like me, with only O Level maths taken over 40 years ago, can understand and even enjoy it. It has begun to assume the character of a crossword in my mind and it was a subject which presented a barrier to me until now. It must illuminate the interpretation of scientific results, but I have yet to reach this stage. For the moment, I restrict myself to a problem or two a day.
by Charles R.
This probably lives up to its title and it does a good job at expanding/revising the topics chosen within it. A brief foray into partial differentiation might have been informative as a “taster” and a little bit more on distributions would not have gone amiss (after all, the normal distribution is at least given some consideration in pre-university study). Nevertheless, one cannot expect everything to be covered comprehensively and overall, I’d feel this book could be purchased with a view to it adequately fulfilling its purpose (i.e. “Bridging the Gap…”)
by John holme
This is a excellent book if you want to prepare yourself for a degree in mathematics. It is very comprehensive and explains concepts in a simple informal way. Well, what can you expect. After all it was written by students. It’s like been taught mathematics by a fellow student! My only criticism is that certain simple derivations were left out, like the derivation of the derivative of the natural log of x.
Also gives you a good foundation if you want to study a mathematical science like physics. Not the most rigorous of text books, but definitely one of the most comprehensible books l’ve studied.