Any quantitative work in earth sciences requires mathematical analysis
to a certain degree and many mathematical methods are essential to the
modelling and analysis of the geological, geophysical and environmental
processes widely studied in earth sciences. In this book Dr Yang
provides an introduction to the fundamental mathematics that all earth
scientists need. The book is self-contained and provides an essential
toolkit of basic mathematics for earth scientists assuming no more than
a standard secondary school level maths as its starting point. The
topics of earth sciences are vast and multidisciplinary, and
consequently the mathematical tools required by its students are diverse
and complex. Thus the author strikes a fine balance between coverage and
detail. Topics have been selected to provide a concise but comprehensive
introductory coverage of all the major and popular mathematical methods.
The book offers a 'theorem-free' approach with an emphasis on
practicality. With dozens of step-by-step worked examples, the book is
especially suitable for non-mathematicians and geoscientists. The topics
include binomial theorem, index notations, polynomials, sequences and
series, trigonometry, spherical trigonometry, complex numbers, vectors
and matrices, ordinary differential equations, partial differential
equations, Fourier transforms, numerical methods, and geostatistics.
Introductory Mathematics for Earth Scientists introduces a wide range of
fundamental and yet widely-used mathematical methods. It is designed for
use by undergraduate students, though postgraduate students will also
find it a helpful reference and aide memoire.
