Applied mathematics: a very short introduction

Oxford's "Very Short Introduction" series challenges its authors to provide reasonably complete coverage of complicated topics in very slim volumes. Goriely (Oxford Univ.) has accomplished this handsomely in his presentation of applied mathematics. His lively discussions are often introduced through their underlying pure mathematical roots, which he extends comfortably to the application under consideration. More important, he emphasizes the varied approaches that applied mathematicians make use of, ensuring that the investigation does not become an end unto itself. He shows how well-established formulas from physics can be applied to novel or challenging settings. Simple dimensional analysis lends itself to refreshingly interesting investigations. He provides illustration showing how modeling extends to more complicated levels as additional restrictions are introduced. Graphical presentations, data-driven problem sets, and numerical analyses are shown as tools to understand an application's behavior. Goriely's spectrum of examples covers a broad range of disciplines, effectively demonstrating the vibrant nature of mathematics in attacking disparate problems. Overall, this small book presents a true sense of what applied mathematicians deal with and could even serve as a motivating resource for individuals contemplating a career in this field. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All academic collections. --Ned W. Schillow, emeritus, Lehigh Carbon Community College