A Primer Of Abstract Mathematics

The purpose of this book is to prepare the reader for coping with abstract mathematics. The intended audience is both students taking a first course in abstract algebra who feel the need to strengthen their background and those from a more applied background who need some experience in dealing with abstract ideas. Learning any area of abstract mathematics requires not only ability to write formally but also to think intuitively about what is going on and to describe that process clearly and cogently in ordinary English. Ash tries to aid intuition by keeping proofs short and as informal as possible and using concrete examples as illustration. Thus, it is an ideal textbook for an audience with limited experience in formalism and abstraction. A number of expository innovations are included, for example, an informal development of set theory which teaches students all the basic results for algebra in one chapter.

The purpose of this book is to prepare the reader for coping with abstract mathematics. The intended audience is both students taking a first course in abstract algebra who feel the need to strengthen their background, and those from a more applied background who need some experience in dealing with abstract ideas. Learning any area of abstract mathematics requires not only ability to write formally but also to think intuitively about what is going on and to describe that process clearly and cogently in ordinary English. Ash tries to aid intuition by keeping proofs short and as informal as possible, and using concrete examples as illustration. Thus it is an ideal textbook for an audience with limited experience in formalism and abstraction. A number of expository innovations are included, for example, an informal development of set theory which teaches students all the basic results for algebra in one chapter.

Bond and Keane explicate the elements of logical, mathematical argument to elucidate the meaning and importance of mathematical rigor. With definitions of concepts at their disposal, students learn the rules of logical inference, read and understand proofs of theorems, and write their own proofs all while becoming familiar with the grammar of mathematics and its style. In addition, they will develop an appreciation of the different methods of proof (contradiction, induction), the value of a proof, and the beauty of an elegant argument. The authors emphasize that mathematics is an ongoing, vibrant disciplineits long, fascinating history continually intersects with territory still uncharted and questions still in need of answers. The authors extensive background in teaching mathematics shines through in this balanced, explicit, and engaging text, designed as a primer for higher- level mathematics courses. They elegantly demonstrate process and application and recognize the byproducts of both the achievements and the missteps of past thinkers. Chapters 1-5 introduce the fundamentals of abstract mathematics and chapters 6-8 apply the ideas and techniques, placing the earlier material in a real context. Readers interest is continually piqued by the use of clear explanations, practical examples, discussion and discovery exercises, and historical comments.

The aim of this book is to help students write mathematics better. Throughout it are large exercise sets well-integrated with the text and varying appropriately from easy to hard. Basic issues are treated, and attention is given to small issues like not placing a mathematical symbol directly after a punctuation mark. And it provides many examples of what students should think and what they should write and how these two are often not the same.

This is an introductory textbook designed for undergraduate mathematics majors with an emphasis on abstraction and in particular, the concept of proofs in the setting of linear algebra. Typically such a student would have taken calculus, though the only prerequisite is suitable mathematical grounding. The purpose of this book is to bridge the gap between the more conceptual and computational oriented undergraduate classes to the more abstract oriented classes. The book begins with systems of linear equations and complex numbers, then relates these to the abstract notion of linear maps on finite-dimensional vector spaces, and covers diagonalization, eigenspaces, determinants, and the Spectral Theorem. Each chapter concludes with both proof-writing and computational exercises.

This is a book about mathematics and mathematical thinking. It is intended for the serious learner who is interested in studying some deductive strategies in the context of a variety of elementary mathematical situations. No background beyond single-variable calculus is presumed.

The Second Edition of this classic text maintains the clear exposition, logical organization, and accessible breadth of coverage that have been its hallmarks. It plunges directly into algebraic structures and incorporates an unusually large number of examples to clarify abstract concepts as they arise. Proofs of theorems do more than just prove the stated results; Saracino examines them so readers gain a better impression of where the proofs come from and why they proceed as they do. Most of the exercises range from easy to moderately difficult and ask for understanding of ideas rather than flashes of insight. The new edition introduces five new sections on field extensions and Galois theory, increasing its versatility by making it appropriate for a two-semester as well as a one-semester course.

Beyond calculus, the world of mathematics grows increasingly abstract and places new and challenging demands on those venturing into that realm. As the focus of calculus instruction has become increasingly computational, it leaves many students ill prepared for more advanced work that requires the ability to understand and construct proofs. Introductory Concepts for Abstract Mathematics helps readers bridge that gap. It teaches them to work with abstract ideas and develop a facility with definitions, theorems, and proofs. They learn logical principles, and to justify arguments not by what seems right, but by strict adherence to principles of logic and proven mathematical assertions - and they learn to write clearly in the language of mathematics The author achieves these goals through a methodical treatment of set theory, relations and functions, and number systems, from the natural to the real. He introduces topics not usually addressed at this level, including the remarkable concepts of infinite sets and transfinite cardinal numbers Introductory Concepts for Abstract Mathematics takes readers into the world beyond calculus and ensures their voyage to that world is successful. It imparts a feeling for the beauty of mathematics and its internal harmony, and inspires an eagerness and increased enthusiasm for moving forward in the study of mathematics.