Towards Higher Mathematics A Companion

This book allows students to stretch their mathematical abilities and bridges the gap between school and university.

The purpose of this book is to give background for those who would like to delve into some higher category theory. It is not a primer on higher category theory itself. It begins with a paper by John Baez and Michael Shulman which explores informally, by analogy and direct connection, how cohomology and other tools of algebraic topology are seen through the eyes of n-category theory. The idea is to give some of the motivations behind this subject. There are then two survey articles, by Julie Bergner and Simona Paoli, about (infinity,1) categories and about the algebraic modelling of homotopy n-types. These are areas that are particularly well understood, and where a fully integrated theory exists. The main focus of the book is on the richness to be found in the theory of bicategories, which gives the essential starting point towards the understanding of higher categorical structures. An article by Stephen Lack gives a thorough, but informal, guide to this theory. A paper by Larry Breen on the theory of gerbes shows how such categorical structures appear in differential geometry. This book is dedicated to Max Kelly, the founder of the Australian school of category theory, and an historical paper by Ross Street describes its development.

This book not only provides a lot of solid information about real analysis, it also answers those questions which students want to ask but cannot figure how to formulate. To read this book is to spend time with one of the modern masters in the subject. --Steven G. Krantz, Washington University, St. Louis One of the major assets of the book is Korner's very personal writing style. By keeping his own engagement with the material continually in view, he invites the reader to a similarly high level of involvement. And the witty and erudite asides that are sprinkled throughout the book are a real pleasure. --Gerald Folland, University of Washingtion, Seattle Many students acquire knowledge of a large number of theorems and methods of calculus without being able to say how they hang together. This book provides such students with the coherent account that they need. A Companion to Analysis explains the problems which must be resolved in order to obtain a rigorous development of the calculus and shows the student how those problems are dealt with. Starting with the real line, it moves on to finite dimensional spaces and then to metric spaces. Readers who work through this text will be ready for such courses as measure theory, functional analysis, complex analysis and differential geometry. Moreover, they will be well on the road which leads from mathematics student to mathematician. Able and hard working students can use this book for independent study, or it can be used as the basis for an advanced undergraduate or elementary graduate course. An appendix contains a large number of accessible but non-routine problems to improve knowledge and technique.

How is a subway map different from other maps? What makes a knot knotted? What makes the M�bius strip one-sided? These are questions of topology, the mathematical study of properties preserved by twisting or stretching objects. In the 20th century topology became as broad and fundamental as algebra and geometry, with important implications for science, especially physics. In this Very Short Introduction Richard Earl gives a sense of the more visual elements of topology (looking at surfaces) as well as covering the formal definition of continuity. Considering some of the eye-opening examples that led mathematicians to recognize a need for studying topology, he pays homage to the historical people, problems, and surprises that have propelled the growth of this field. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

First published in 1998.

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, sharp, inspiring The 17th-century calculus of Newton and Leibniz was built on shaky foundations, and it wasn't until the 18th and 19th centuries that mathematicians—especially Bolzano, Cauchy, and Weierstrass—began to establish a rigorous basis for the subject. The resulting discipline is now known to mathematicians as analysis. This book, aimed at readers with some grounding in mathematics, describes the nascent evolution of mathematical analysis, its development as a subject in its own right, and its wide-ranging applications in mathematics and science, modelling reality from acoustics to fluid dynamics, from biological systems to quantum theory. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Distills key concepts from linear algebra, geometry, matrices, calculus, optimization, probability and statistics that are used in machine learning.

Provides a smooth and pleasant transition from first-year calculus to upper-level mathematics courses in real analysis, abstract algebra and number theory Most universities require students majoring in mathematics to take a “transition to higher math” course that introduces mathematical proofs and more rigorous thinking. Such courses help students be prepared for higher-level mathematics course from their onset. Advanced Mathematics: A Transitional Reference provides a “crash course” in beginning pure mathematics, offering instruction on a blendof inductive and deductive reasoning. By avoiding outdated methods and countless pages of theorems and proofs, this innovative textbook prompts students to think about the ideas presented in an enjoyable, constructive setting. Clear and concise chapters cover all the essential topics students need to transition from the "rote-orientated" courses of calculus to the more rigorous "proof-orientated” advanced mathematics courses. Topics include sentential and predicate calculus, mathematical induction, sets and counting, complex numbers, point-set topology, and symmetries, abstract groups, rings, and fields. Each section contains numerous problems for students of various interests and abilities. Ideally suited for a one-semester course, this book: Introduces students to mathematical proofs and rigorous thinking Provides thoroughly class-tested material from the authors own course in transitioning to higher math Strengthens the mathematical thought process of the reader Includes informative sidebars, historical notes, and plentiful graphics Offers a companion website to access a supplemental solutions manual for instructors Advanced Mathematics: A Transitional Reference is a valuable guide for undergraduate students who have taken courses in calculus, differential equations, or linear algebra, but may not be prepared for the more advanced courses of real analysis, abstract algebra, and number theory that await them. This text is also useful for scientists, engineers, and others seeking to refresh their skills in advanced math.