If you cannot afford the book, check your college library or ask a senior student for a borrowed scan. However, if you can purchase a legal PDF for the price of a coffee, do so—it supports the publication of future mathematical texts.
Use these alternatives (free & legal) which cover identical material:
Chaki’s book is dense in algebra. Pair it with YouTube playlists (e.g., “Tensor Calculus” by Eigenchris or Pavel Grinfeld). The PDF will then serve as your detailed reference.
If you cannot locate a usable copy, consider these alternatives that are freely and legally available online:
| Book | Author | Availability | |------|--------|--------------| | Tensor Calculus (Schaum’s Outlines) | David C. Kay | Low-cost used copies; legal PDF via publisher subscription. | | A Quick Introduction to Tensor Analysis | R. Sharipov | Free on arXiv (arXiv:math/0403252). | | Introduction to Vectors and Tensors – Vol 1 & 2 | Ray M. Bowen & C.C. Wang | Free on Texas A&M’s repository. | | Tensor Calculus for Physics (lecture notes) | Dwight Neuenschwander | Free PDF via Johns Hopkins University. |
None of these match Chaki’s problem set style, but they cover the same core topics.
Given the legal and ethical concerns, here are the best ways to obtain a digital copy without violating copyright:
Avoid: Random “free PDF download” websites (like PDF Drive or unknown torrents). These often contain malware, incorrect page ordering, or deleted chapters.
The true value of the PDF—often overlooked—is the exercise sections. In an age where students are used to seeing solved examples every three paragraphs, Chaki challenges you to think. The exercises are demanding. They force you to manipulate indices until the notation becomes second nature. For the self-learner, these problems are the gold mine, though they may require external help to solve.
Just owning a PDF is not enough. Here is a study strategy used by top-scoring students: