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View Full Version : Is This A Good Proof Book?


Angry Citizen
Dec25-10, 08:38 PM
I'm curious if this book is worth the money. I'm an engineering student, but mathematics has always fascinated me, and I'm considering doing the extra year in college just to learn some higher mathematics. Trouble is, I'll have to learn how to prove things -- and as someone who's never even had the basic proofs introduced in geometry, I'm a complete novice. I've got a fairly solid background in mathematics; I'm about to start multivariable/vector calculus this spring, and I'll have all summer to work through it before I start classes like linear algebra and real analysis. Also, it'd be great to prove some of the theorems from elementary algebra and calculus, especially the ones I can never remember. Anyway, here's the book; I'd appreciate any opinions on it:

http://www.amazon.com/How-Prove-Structured-Daniel-Velleman/dp/0521675995/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1293052453&sr=1-6

naele
Dec26-10, 12:32 PM
It's as decent a book as any. Make sure to do some of the problems.

Sankaku
Dec26-10, 12:51 PM
I have it and it is pretty good. Depending on your level, it may start off a little slowly for you. If you are wanting to skip ahead, at least skim the earlier sections to make sure you understand all the details. Sometimes there are little concepts that make a big difference later, especially in logic, proof and beginning set theory.

My recommendation - do lots and lots of induction proofs when you get to them.

The first half of this book is pretty good for the basics as well. Look for a second-hand copy or an older edition. It has well-worked solutions in the book itself.
http://www.amazon.com/Discrete-Mathematics-Graph-Theory-3rd/dp/0131679953
(ignore the comments on amazon, I found it well-written)