Book Notes. Naval Research, which were given in the spring and fall of 1963. Each of the eminent contributors delineates a substantial research area, describes it broadly and comprehensively, and contributes to this description his individual evaluation of the esthetic and practical aspects of the field, its position in mathematical development as a whole and its future. Contents and Contributors: "General Linear Partial Differential Equations," L. Nirenberg; "Generators and Relations in Groups-The Burnside Problem," Marshall Hall, Jr. ; "Some Aspects of the Topology of 3-Manifolds Related to the Poincare Conjecture," R. H. Bing; "Some Problems in the Theory of Partial Differential Equations," Lars Garding; "Quasicoifformal Mappings and Their Applications," Lars. V. Ahlfors; "Differential Topology," John Milnor. COMPUTER-ORIENTED MATHEMATICS: An In-
troduction to Numerical Methods, by L. D. Kovach. 98 pages, diagrams, 6 X 9 in. San Francisco, Calif., Holden-Day, Inc., 1964. Price, $3.95 (cloth), $2.95 (paper). An introduction to a fascinating and useful branch of mathematics, numerical mathematics, this book stresses those facets of the subject that are not directly related to computers, although the word "computer" appears in the title. Many examples are given to show that computer-oriented mathematics can be used to solve problems even though a computer is not available. In this respect alone, the book will interest and appeal to a wide audience, assuming only that the reader has a knowledge of high-school mathematics and some scientific curiosity. STANDARD ELECTRONICS QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS, by S. M. Elonka and J. L. Bernstein. Vol. I : Basic Electronics. 232 pages, illustrations, 5½ X 8 in. Vol. I I : Industrial Applications. 452 pages, 5½ X 8 in. New York, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 1964. Price, $8.50 each, $15.95 the set. The growing importance of electronics in computers, automation, control and space technology, and the scarcity of adequately trained technicians in these areas, has created the need for practical answers to everyday operating and maintenance problems in all branches of the field. This two-volume set provides a comprehensive and dependable
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coverage of basic and practical electro nics Volume I offers the basic principles, in chapters entitled: Direct Current, Magnetism, Inductance and Capacitance, Alternating Current, Vacuum Tubes, Semiconductors and Transistors, Voltage Amplifiers, and Power Supplies. Volume I I gives the many basic industrial circuits in their simplest form and explains exactly what happens inside each circuit and device to make it function. Chapters are headed: Oscillators, Special Circuits, Transducers and Sensors, Control Systems, Closed-Circuits and Color TV, Industrial Processes and Devises, and Test Equipment. Simple, easy to understand line drawings add to the logical presentation of the subiect. ENGINEERS' GUIDE TO CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS,
by I. J. Karassik. 290 pages, diagrams, illustrations, 6 X 9 in. New York, McGrawHill Book Co., Inc., 1964. Price, $10.00. The material presented in this work was taken by the author from actual correspondence dealing with various problems encountered by users of centrifugal pumps. In its question-and-answer format, the book guides the reader in avoiding inadequate performance and excessive costs in maintenance and operation, and in diagnosing and solving field difficulties. In addition, it offers practical information in the selection of centrifugal pumps for fluid handling systems. By offering solutions to specific problems, rather than giving a theoretical treatment of the subject, engineers and users of centrifugal pumps will find this book extremely useful. ELECTRONICPRECISION MEASUREMENTTECHNIQUES AND EXPERIMENTS, by Staff Members, Philco Technological Center. 336 pages, diagrams, illustrations, 7 X 9¼ in. Englewood Cliffs, N. J., Prentice-Hall, Inc.~ 1964. Price, 813.00. This manual, prepared by the staff of the Philco Technological Center, provides a broad source of information on precision measurement techniques, with primary emphasis on electrical and electronic equipment. A large part of the work is devoted to the specia~ techniques required in calibrating test equip~ ment, including numerous exercises in the use. and calibration of typical precision measuring instruments. Of special interest are the appendices on conversion and correction data,.
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