Vectors
Tony Bridgeman, P. C. Chatwin, Charles Plumpton, "Vectors"
1983 | ISBN-10: 0333317912 | 76 pages | PDF | 5 MB
1983 | ISBN-10: 0333317912 | 76 pages | PDF | 5 MB
Preface
Advanced level mathematics syllabuses are once again undergoing changes of
content and approach, following the revolution in the early 1960s which led
to the unfortunate dichotomy between 'modern' and 'traditional' mathematics.
The current trend in syllabuses for Advanced level mathematics now being
developed and published by many GCE Boards is towards an integrated
approach, taking the best of the topics and approaches of the modern and
traditional, in an attempt to create a realistic examination target, through
syllabuses which are maximal for examining and minimal for teaching. In
addition, resulting from a number of initiatives, core syllabuses are being
developed for Advanced level mathematics syllabuses, consisting of techniques
of pure mathematics as taught in schools and colleges at this level.
The concept of a core can be used in several ways, one of which is mentioned
above, namely the idea of a core syllabus to which options such as theoretical
mechanics, further pure mathematics and statistics can be added. The books
in this series are core books involving a different use of the core idea. They
are books on a range of topics, each of which is central to the study of Advanced
level mathematics; they form small core studies of their own, of topics which
together cover the main areas of any single-subject mathematics syllabus at
Advanced level.
Particularly at times when economic conditions make the problems of
acquiring comprehensive textbooks giving complete syllabus coverage acute,
schools and colleges and individual students can collect as many of the core
books as they need, one or more, to supplement books already acquired, so
that the most recent syllabus of, for example, the London, Cambridge, JMB
and AEB GCE Boards, can be covered at minimum expense. Alternatively, of
course, the whole set of core books gives complete syllabus coverage of single-
subject Advanced level mathematics syllabuses.
The aim of each book is to develop a major topic of the single-subject
syllabuses, giving essential book work and worked examples and exercises
arising from the authors' vast experience of examining at this level and including
actual past GCE questions also. Thus, as well as using the core books in either
of the above ways, they would also be ideal for supplementing comprehensive
textbooks in the sense of providing more examples and exercises, so necessary
for preparation and revision for examinations on the Advanced level mathe-
matics syllabuses offered by the GCE Boards.
Vectors are now regarded as an essential tool in mathematics, physics and
engineering and the purpose of this book is to provide a systematic and coherent
introduction to the subject of vector algebra. The many worked examples
illustrate the elegance and practical convenience of vector methods in physical
and geometrical problems. As with other branches of mathematics, vector
algebra can only be mastered, and fully appreciated, by working conscien-
tiously through the worked and unworked examples. The treatment assumes
an elementary knowledge of calculus, a topic which is covered by companion
volumes in this series.
The authors are grateful to the University of London Entrance and School
Examinations Council (L) for permission to reproduce questions from past
Advanced Level GCE papers.
Tony Bridgeman
P. C. Chatwin
C. Plumpton
Nov. 1982
Advanced level mathematics syllabuses are once again undergoing changes of
content and approach, following the revolution in the early 1960s which led
to the unfortunate dichotomy between 'modern' and 'traditional' mathematics.
The current trend in syllabuses for Advanced level mathematics now being
developed and published by many GCE Boards is towards an integrated
approach, taking the best of the topics and approaches of the modern and
traditional, in an attempt to create a realistic examination target, through
syllabuses which are maximal for examining and minimal for teaching. In
addition, resulting from a number of initiatives, core syllabuses are being
developed for Advanced level mathematics syllabuses, consisting of techniques
of pure mathematics as taught in schools and colleges at this level.
The concept of a core can be used in several ways, one of which is mentioned
above, namely the idea of a core syllabus to which options such as theoretical
mechanics, further pure mathematics and statistics can be added. The books
in this series are core books involving a different use of the core idea. They
are books on a range of topics, each of which is central to the study of Advanced
level mathematics; they form small core studies of their own, of topics which
together cover the main areas of any single-subject mathematics syllabus at
Advanced level.
Particularly at times when economic conditions make the problems of
acquiring comprehensive textbooks giving complete syllabus coverage acute,
schools and colleges and individual students can collect as many of the core
books as they need, one or more, to supplement books already acquired, so
that the most recent syllabus of, for example, the London, Cambridge, JMB
and AEB GCE Boards, can be covered at minimum expense. Alternatively, of
course, the whole set of core books gives complete syllabus coverage of single-
subject Advanced level mathematics syllabuses.
The aim of each book is to develop a major topic of the single-subject
syllabuses, giving essential book work and worked examples and exercises
arising from the authors' vast experience of examining at this level and including
actual past GCE questions also. Thus, as well as using the core books in either
of the above ways, they would also be ideal for supplementing comprehensive
textbooks in the sense of providing more examples and exercises, so necessary
for preparation and revision for examinations on the Advanced level mathe-
matics syllabuses offered by the GCE Boards.
Vectors are now regarded as an essential tool in mathematics, physics and
engineering and the purpose of this book is to provide a systematic and coherent
introduction to the subject of vector algebra. The many worked examples
illustrate the elegance and practical convenience of vector methods in physical
and geometrical problems. As with other branches of mathematics, vector
algebra can only be mastered, and fully appreciated, by working conscien-
tiously through the worked and unworked examples. The treatment assumes
an elementary knowledge of calculus, a topic which is covered by companion
volumes in this series.
The authors are grateful to the University of London Entrance and School
Examinations Council (L) for permission to reproduce questions from past
Advanced Level GCE papers.
Tony Bridgeman
P. C. Chatwin
C. Plumpton
Nov. 1982