Problems in general physics
by I. E. Irodov · first published 1988
70% recommend30% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Hard, creative physics problems that demand critical thinking rather than formula plugging; valued for building problem-solving skill, especially by students preparing for engineering entrance exams like JEE.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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It's not just math. Physics too. People from India who went through engineering entrance exams like JEE will have fond (or horrific) memories of "Problems in General Physics" by Irodov (https://archive.org/details/IrodovProblemsInGeneralPhysics/m...). Every problem in there was something to wrestle with.
on “Why are Soviet math textbooks so hardcore in comparison to US textbooks? (2017)” ↗or for more fun try irodov(Problems in general physics). most folks who have done iit would (should ?) already be intimately aware of it :o)
on “A fisherman throws his anchor into the water. What happens to the water level of the lake?” ↗It probably wouldn't be as enlightening to most adults, but Problems in General Physics by Irodov kicked my ass in high school and taught me a lot
on “Ask HN: Whats the most challenging book you have ever read?” ↗Agree! And it's not just limited to math. I used to study for my engineering entrance exams with the Problems in General Physics book by IE Irodov. They were some of the most challenging and creative problems that I have ever solved. They are quite interesting and require critical thinking to solve. Even the problems I later studied…
on “Why So Many Top Hackers Hail from Russia” ↗Probably not anyone's first choice, completely unknown in the US and not truly a maths book, so much as a physics book. Problems in general physics by IE Irodov [1] was one of those "bang your head on the wall, but when you get it it's ecstasy" kind of books for me. I am not even sure if I would recommend it to every one. Maybe masochists. But,…
on “Ask HN: Recommend a maths book for a teenager?” ↗…because they had licenses to print these books, and generally speaking, the MIR Publishers, Moscow, books. - "Problems in Mathematical Analysis", Demidovich. - "Course of Theoretical Physics", Landau. - "Problems in General Physics", Irodov. You'll note that there are "course" books and "problem" books in there. All the best,
on “Ask HN: Great resources for university calculus/physics?” ↗…Some of my best learning experiences have come from textbooks that forced me to apply concepts - attack problems directly and refer to the prose on need basis to fill the gaps. My favourites are - 1. Problems in General Physics by I. E. Irodov 2. Concepts of Physics by H.C Verma Part I & II 3. How to Solve It by George Pólya
on “Ask HN: What are the best books with problem sets that test your understanding?” ↗No mention of the most famous Russian book among Indian high Schoolers: [Problems in General Physics by I E Irodov](https://www.amazon.com/Problems-General-Physics-I-Irodov/dp/...)?
on “By the book: reflections on an Indian childhood reading Soviet hardbacks” ↗Not just fiction, but Russian technical books were also memorable from my childhood in India. Many here would remember their struggles with I.E.Irodov's Problems in General Physics [1] as much as stories of Chuk and Gek [2], or Misha. [1]: https://archive.org/details/IrodovProblemsInGeneralPhysics [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuk_and_Gek
on “Soviet children’s books became collectors’ items in India” ↗I.E. Irodov's Problems in General Physics had a towering reputation among Indian high schoolers prepping for JEE. I guess these days it's lost its sheen quite a bit.
on “Mir Books – Books from the Soviet Era” ↗