ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS

Abstract

"Engineering Mathematics" by H.D. Block, E.T. Cranch, P.J. Hilton and R.J. Walker was a two volume work that was written, published and first used as a text at Cornell University in 1964. The project was a cooperative effort between the Theoretical and Applied Mechanics Department in the College of Engineering and the Mathematics Department in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The work was very novel at the time, although many of its innovations have become commonplace nowadays. In particular, the work involved the unusual step of interweaving linear algebra and differential equations (both ordinary and partial). Also unusual was the inclusion of engineering applications and computer simulations. Related topics such as vector field theory, complex numbers and infinite series were also treated.

The book continued to be used as the text for a year-long sequence of sophomore engineering mathematics, Math 293-294, well into the 1970's. Eventually other authors produced books which combined linear algebra and differential equations, and "Engineering Mathematics" by Block et al. ceased to be used as a text at Cornell.