This book needs no introduction! All the physics students out there know a great deal of this book, some have even referred this...the main part of 'mathematical methods for physicists'  is the problems,  as the author points out to solve a great chunk of problems.<br> If you are a beginner, who has just started out to study a ton of math to fix your physics, well  don't buy this book... Instead go for 'Mathematical methods in physical sciences by Mary Boas' ,  then use this book as a second reference book. Arfken's book tends to sway an amateur reader away, so only those who know some parts of various  topics can follow this... Good luck!