Modern Algebra: An Introduction - Hardcover

Durbin, John R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471321478 ISBN 13: 9780471321477

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 1999

Synopsis

This book presents an introduction to modern (abstract) algebra covering the basic ideas of groups, rings, and fields. The first part of the book treats ideas that are important but neither abstract nor complicated, and provides practice in handling mathematical statements – their meaning, quantification, negation, and proof. This edition features a new section to give more substance to the introduction to Galois theory, updated lists of references and discussions of topics such as Fermat′s Last Theorem and the finite simple groups.

About this title

Synopsis

The author has written this book with two main goals in mind: to introduce the most important kinds of algebraic structures, and to help students improve their ability to understand and work with abstract ideas. The first six chapters present the core of the subject, the remainder are designed to be as flexible as possible. The book covers groups before rings, which is a matter of personal preference for instructors. The "Advice to Students" section gives suggestions to students on reading, writing and analyzing proofs and theorems. An expanded discussion of deductive reasoning and methods of proofs can be found in the appendix. Some traditional topics are presented earlier in the first six chapters for easier coverage of standard material. A new section has been added to expand the introduction of Galois theory for more thorough coverage. The discussion of Fermat's Last Theorem is updated to include Wiles' famous proof.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0471321478
• ISBN 13: 9780471321477
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 352