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Cover image for Fundamentals of mathematics : an introduction to proofs, logic, sets, and numbers
Title:
Fundamentals of mathematics : an introduction to proofs, logic, sets, and numbers
Publication Information:
Hoboken : Wiley, c2010
Physical Description:
x, 338 p. : ill. ; 25 cm.
ISBN:
9780470551387

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30000010273547 QA248 S37 2010 Open Access Book Book
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30000010283080 QA248 S37 2010 Open Access Book Book
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Summary

Summary

An accessible introduction to abstract mathematics with an emphasis on proof writing

Addressing the importance of constructing and understanding mathematical proofs, Fundamentals of Mathematics: An Introduction to Proofs, Logic, Sets, and Numbers introduces key concepts from logic and set theory as well as the fundamental definitions of algebra to prepare readers for further study in the field of mathematics. The author supplies a seamless, hands-on presentation of number systems, utilizing key elements of logic and set theory and encouraging readers to abide by the fundamental rule that you are not allowed to use any results that you have not proved yet.

The book begins with a focus on the elements of logic used in everyday mathematical language, exposing readers to standard proof methods and Russell's Paradox. Once this foundation is established, subsequent chapters explore more rigorous mathematical exposition that outlines the requisite elements of Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory and constructs the natural numbers and integers as well as rational, real, and complex numbers in a rigorous, yet accessible manner. Abstraction is introduced as a tool, and special focus is dedicated to concrete, accessible applications, such as public key encryption, that are made possible by abstract ideas. The book concludes with a self-contained proof of Abel's Theorem and an investigation of deeper set theory by introducing the Axiom of Choice, ordinal numbers, and cardinal numbers.

Throughout each chapter, proofs are written in much detail with explicit indications that emphasize the main ideas and techniques of proof writing. Exercises at varied levels of mathematical development allow readers to test their understanding of the material, and a related Web site features video presentations for each topic, which can be used along with the book or independently for self-study.

Classroom-tested to ensure a fluid and accessible presentation, Fundamentals of Mathematics is an excellent book for mathematics courses on proofs, logic, and set theory at the upper-undergraduate level as well as a supplement for transition courses that prepare students for the rigorous mathematical reasoning of advanced calculus, real analysis, and modern algebra. The book is also a suitable reference for professionals in all areas of mathematics education who are interested in mathematical proofs and the foundation upon which all mathematics is built.


Author Notes

Bernd S.W. Schrder, PhD, is Edmundson/Crump Professor, Academic Director, and Program Chair of the Program of Mathematics and Statistics at Louisiana Tech University. He has authored more than thirty journal articles in his areas of research interest, which include ordered sets, probability theory, graph theory, harmonic analysis, computer science, and education. Dr. Schrder is the author of Mathematical Analysis: A Concise Introduction and A Workbook for Differential Equations, both published by Wiley.


Table of Contents

Prefacep. vii
Questionsp. x
1 Logicp. 1
1.1 Statementsp. 1
1.2 Implicationsp. 5
1.3 Conjunction, Disjunction, and Negationp. 11
1.4 Special Focus on Negationp. 19
1.5 Variables and Quantifiersp. 25
1.6 Proofsp. 30
1.7 Using Tautologies to Analyze Argumentsp. 42
1.8 Russell's Paradoxp. 46
2 Set Theoryp. 51
2.1 Sets and Objectsp. 52
2.2 The Axiom of Specificationp. 56
2.3 The Axiom of Extensionp. 59
2.4 The Axiom of Unionsp. 67
2.5 The Axiom of Powers, Relations, and Functionsp. 73
2.6 The Axiom of Infinity and the Natural Numbersp. 83
3 Number Systems I: Natural Numbersp. 89
3.1 Arithmetic With Natural Numbersp. 89
3.2 Ordering the Natural Numbersp. 98
3.3 A More Abstract Viewpoint: Binary Operationsp. 103
3.4 Inductionp. 111
3.5 Sums and Productsp. 120
3.6 Divisibilityp. 133
3.7 Equivalence Relationsp. 142
3.8 Arithmetic Modulo mp. 147
3.9 Public Key Encryptionp. 153
4 Number Systems II: Integersp. 161
4.1 Arithmetic With Integersp. 161
4.2 Groups and Ringsp. 167
4.3 Finding the Natural Numbers in the Integersp. 175
4.4 Ordered Ringsp. 179
4.5 Division in Ringsp. 185
4.6 Countable Setsp. 195
5 Number Systems III: Fieldsp. 201
5.1 Arithmetic With Rational Numbersp. 201
5.2 Fieldsp. 205
5.3 Ordered Fieldsp. 211
5.4 A Problem With the Rational Numbersp. 213
5.5 The Real Numbersp. 216
5.6 Uncountable Setsp. 226
5.7 The Complex Numbersp. 230
5.8 Solving Polynomial Equationsp. 233
5.9 Beyond Fields: Vector Spaces and Algebrasp. 243
6 Unsolvability of the Quintic by Radicalsp. 249
6.1 Irreducible Polynomialsp. 250
6.2 Field Extensions and Splitting Fieldsp. 255
6.3 Uniqueness of the Splitting Fieldp. 260
6.4 Field Automorphisms and Galois Groupsp. 269
6.5 Normal Field Extensionsp. 273
6.6 The Groups S np. 276
6.7 The Fundamental Theorem of Galois Theory and Normal Subgroupsp. 281
6.8 Consequences of Solvability by Radicalsp. 292
6.9 Abel's Theoremp. 298
7 More Axiomsp. 301
7.1 The Axiom of Choice, Zorn's Lemma, and the Well-Ordering Theoremp. 301
7.2 Ordinal Numbers and the Axiom of Replacementp. 308
7.3 Cardinal Numbers and the Continuum Hypothesisp. 311
A Historical Overview and Commentaryp. 317
A.1 Ancient Times: Greece and Romep. 318
A.2 The Dark Ages and First New Developmentsp. 321
A.3 There is No Quintic Formula: Abel and Galoisp. 323
A.4 Understanding Irrational Numbers: Set Theoryp. 326
Conclusion and Outlookp. 328
Bibliographyp. 329
Indexp. 333
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