Book excerpt: Wavelet analysis is among the newest additions to the arsenals of mathematicians, scientists, and engineers, and offers common solutions to diverse problems. However, students and professionals in some areas of engineering and science, intimidated by the mathematical background necessary to explore this subject, have been unable to use this powerful tool. The first book on the topic for readers with minimal mathematical backgrounds, Wavelet Analysis with Applications to Image Processing provides a thorough introduction to wavelets with applications in image processing. Unlike most other works on this subject, which are often collections of papers or research advances, this book offers students and researchers without an extensive math background a step-by-step introduction to the power of wavelet transforms and applications to image processing. The first four chapters introduce the basic topics of analysis that are vital to understanding the mathematics of wavelet transforms. Subsequent chapters build on the information presented earlier to cover the major themes of wavelet analysis and its applications to image processing. This is an ideal introduction to the subject for students, and a valuable reference guide for professionals working in image processing.