Concise but thorough and systematic, this categorical discussion of the real number system presents a series of step-by-step axioms, each illustrated by examples. The highly accessible text is suitable for readers at varying levels of knowledge and experience: advanced high school students and college undergraduates as well as prospective high school and college instructors. The abundance of examples and the wealth of exercises―more than 300, all with answers provided―make this a particularly valuable book for self-study. The first two chapters examine fields and ordered fields, followed by an introduction to natural numbers and mathematical induction. Subsequent chapters explore composite and prime numbers, integers and rational numbers, congruences and finite fields, and polynomials and rational functions. Additional topics include intervals and absolute value, the axiom of completeness, roots and rational exponents, exponents and logarithms, and decimal expansions. A helpful Appendix concludes the text.

About the Author

John M. H. Olmsted was Professor of Mathematics at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. He also wrote books on calculus, and Dover publishes his Counterexamples in Analysis, co-written with Bernard R. Gelbaum.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Y-Not-Books
Unit 1, Forest Road Enterprise Park, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, HR3 5DS, United Kingdom

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

We guarantee the condition of every book as it's described on the Abebooks web sites. If you're dissatisfied with your purchase (Incorrect Book/Not as Described/Damaged) or if the order hasn't arrived, you're eligible for a refund within 30 days of the estimated delivery date. If you've changed your mind about a book that you've ordered, please use the Ask bookseller a question link to contact us and we'll respond within 2 business days.

Right of cancellation

Shipping Terms

Orders usually ship within 2 business days. All parcels are sent using Standard Delivery services. UK orders are sent by Royal Mail Second Class which usually takes 3-6 working days.

International orders usually take 12-15 working days, but can take up to 45 days due to customs and borders controls.

Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.

Shipping rates within United Kingdom

Shipping rates within United Kingdom
Order quantity	2 to 5 business days	1 to 2 business days
First item	� 2.40	� 5.95

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.