Product Description

The purpose of this book is to introduce the basic ideas of mathematical proof to students embarking on university mathematics. The emphasis is on helping the reader in understanding and constructing proofs and writing clear mathematics. This is achieved by exploring set theory, combinatorics and number theory, topics which include many fundamental ideas which are part of the tool kit of any mathematician. This material illustrates how familiar ideas can be formulated rigorously, provides examples demonstrating a wide range of basic methods of proof, and includes some of the classic proofs. The book presents mathematics as a continually developing subject. Material meeting the needs of readers from a wide range of backgrounds is included. Over 250 problems include questions to interest and challenge the most able student as well as plenty of routine exercises to help familiarize the reader with the basic ideas.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #115821 in Books
• Published on: 1997-12-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 362 pages

Review
‘The book is written with understanding of the needs of students …’ European Mathematical Society

Customer Reviews

This book really helps for university starters
I have just finished my first year at university and this book really helped as it explained a lot of things I didn't understand in a different, simpler way. I would recommend anyone starting university mathematics to buy this book, as it takes a lot of the familiar ideas from A level a step further. (I also know the author, he's a really good lecturer).