: Analysis 2 Textbook recommendations please?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for real analysis textbooks suitable for self-study, particularly for someone with a background in calculus and linear algebra. Participants explore various options and their appropriateness for the user's level of mathematical maturity.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that Spivak's Calculus is not equivalent to introductory real analysis, recommending Rudin's Principles of Mathematical Analysis as a more accessible starting point before tackling Spivak's Calculus on Manifolds.
  • Another participant notes that while Spivak's text is terse, working through the exercises is beneficial, and mentions that Pugh's book has limited coverage of multivariable calculus.
  • A different participant argues that Munkres' Analysis on Manifolds is the most detailed and user-friendly option, emphasizing its motivational approach and structured proofs.
  • Additional recommendations include Hubbard's Vector Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Differential Forms, Edwards' Advanced Calculus of Several Variables, and Fleming's Functions of Several Variables, with links provided for further exploration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the suitability of various textbooks, with no consensus on a single best choice. Some advocate for Munkres, while others suggest Rudin or Pugh, indicating a range of perspectives on the appropriate level and style of the material.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the varying levels of detail and accessibility in the recommended texts, as well as the importance of prior knowledge in calculus and linear algebra when selecting a suitable book for self-study.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students seeking recommendations for real analysis textbooks, particularly those preparing for self-study in advanced mathematics.

SMHPhysics
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Hello,

My father will be visiting the UK soon. I live in a developing country where not many books are available, so he'll be bringing them here. Now, I have already compiled a list of quite a few books. I am particularly looking forward to Munkres' Topology and Sutherland's Metric Spaces and Topology. However I need a real analysis book, at a level higher that Spivak's Calculus textbook, which I have completed. My 'mathematical maturity' is at the level of Spivak's Calculus, Shilov's linear algebra, Tennenbaum's differential equations, and parts of Apostol's Analysis, etc. I have already had cookbook James Stewart style non rigorous calculus course. I know its not much but I've turned 18 not long ago, and I haven't started college yet (begins fall 2013 I hope).

I would prefer something at the level of Spivak's calculus on manifolds, but its very terse I've noticed from Amazon. What about Munkres' Analysis on Manifolds? Ideally one of these two should do, but I would like to know which would be more appropriate, given that I will be mostly using them for self-study? Also is Pugh's Analysis similar to either of these? The book for me should cover multivariable analysis, with a proof of Stoke's theorem, manifolds etc. Throw in any other suggestions you like! :)

Professor Mathwonk, if you're here Sir, I'm really looking forward to your post :)

Thank You!

PS: PLEASE DO NOT HIJACK THIS THREAD!
 
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Spivak's Calculus is not quite at the level of introductory real analysis, so moving to a second course in real analysis would be quite a jump. If I were you, I would first learn single variable analysis. Rudin's Principles of Mathematical Analysis essentially boils Spivak's Calculus down to 170 short pages and examines everything from a more general and comprehensive point of view. It should definitely be accessible to you.

After that you will certainly be much more prepared to tackle Spivak's Calculus on Manifolds. Munkres' Analysis book will take you to the same place but with much more words.
 
I own/have access to all three books you mentioned but unfortunately since we only recently got to differential forms in my analysis class, I haven't read them in detail. You are right in that Spivak seems terse although people say if you work out the exercises you'll be golden. As for Pugh, I like his style but keep in mind that he only devotes one out of the 6 chapters in his book to multivariable calculus so his whole treatment is around 50-60 pages long. I would say Munkres would be the most detailed and user-friendly as he motivates things quite well and breaks long up proofs into steps and stuff like that. So if you had to choose one, I'd go for Munkres.
 

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