I wonder if I'm posting my question at a right place, but does anybody know if this is a good textbook for abstract algebra, especially for someone who's taking a "serious" math course for the first time?
BASIC ALGEBRA by Anthony W. Knapp
http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Algebra-Cornerstones-Anthony-Knapp/dp/0817632484
The author has some sample pages on his website as well:
http://www.math.sunysb.edu/~aknapp/books/b-alg.html
Thanks
morphism
Sep21-08, 03:32 AM
Can you find a copy at the library to try it out and see if you enjoy it?
Hippo
Sep21-08, 04:38 AM
I have both the Basic and Advanced Algebra by Knaap. Is it any good? I dunno, I'm not a fan of Math so I can't really judge on it.
qspeechc
Sep21-08, 07:09 AM
I looked at the preview of chapter 2, and if this is your first "serious" maths course, then it looks quite advanced to me, but wait for other opinions.
PieceOfPi
Sep21-08, 02:11 PM
Can you find a copy at the library to try it out and see if you enjoy it?
It seems like a copy is not available for now (don't ask me why... it's supposed to be the text book for the abstract algebra class this year). But one thing I can do is to buy this book at the campus book store, and if I didn't like it, I can return it while the return policy still works.
I looked at the preview of chapter 2, and if this is your first "serious" maths course, then it looks quite advanced to me, but wait for other opinions.
I think I should have clarified what I meant by a "serious" math course (although I think you got it right). I've already taken linear algebra, multivariable calculus, ODE, and some proof-oriented courses like number theory and elementary analysis. I haven't, however, taken any advanced undergraduate math courses such as abstract algebra, real analysis, and topology. So I was wondering if taking the abstract algebra course with that particular textbook would be appropriate for me. I think I have an enough preparation, though, but I would never know until I take the course.