Books for self-study in pure areas of mathematics

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around recommendations for self-study books in pure areas of mathematics, including topology, graph theory, number theory, and group theory. Participants share their preferences for books that include examples, worked problems, and proofs, while also considering the appropriate level for first-year undergraduate students.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to learn more about pure mathematics despite being enrolled in an applied mathematics course, seeking recommendations for books in various pure areas.
  • Another participant recommends several books, including "Elementary Analysis" by Ross for real analysis, noting its suitability for self-study with hints and solutions provided.
  • They also suggest "Carothers' Real Analysis" for more advanced concepts and "Abstract Algebra: An Introduction" by Hungerford for algebra, highlighting its examples and problem sets.
  • For topology, "Munkres' text" is recommended as a great resource.
  • A suggestion is made for "Kreyszig's Functional Analysis" as an easy and readable book with many examples, requiring only linear algebra and some analysis background.
  • A participant shares their current knowledge in calculus, group theory, and linear algebra, expressing appreciation for the topology recommendation but raising concerns about the cost of other suggested algebra books.
  • The same participant indicates that they do not need analysis books at the moment since they will cover that subject in college.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the value of the recommended books for self-study, but there is a lack of consensus on alternative recommendations for algebra due to cost concerns. The discussion remains unresolved regarding specific alternatives for more affordable algebra resources.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of knowledge and access to resources, which may influence their recommendations and preferences. The discussion reflects a range of experiences with different mathematical topics and the challenges of finding suitable study materials.

Who May Find This Useful

Students interested in self-studying pure mathematics, particularly those in applied mathematics programs looking to broaden their understanding of theoretical concepts.

dsfranca
Messages
23
Reaction score
0
Books for self-study in "pure areas" of mathematics

Hi,
I am starting an applied mathematics course this year at university. Unfortunately I don't have the option to study "pure" areas of mathematics, but I would like to learn more about them to become a more complete mathematician at the end of the course, as I understand that areas such as topology also have important practical applications and also because of my intelectual curiosity.

Therefore I would like to know if you guys could recommend good books for self study in topology, graph theory, number theory and group theory, or any other "purer" area that I may be forgetting and you think is important/interesting.

I like books that have many examples or worked problems but also present proofs. I recently studied linear algebra using Gilbert Strang's video lectures and David Poole's book, and I thought this was a good method and the syllabus was of sufficient depth and difficulty for my current conditions, so I believe this would be the level I am looking for (first years of undergradute school).

Thanks for your help!
 
Physics news on Phys.org


Here are a few books I used that I really liked and I think are suitable for self-study.

If you want a nice, easy introduction to real analysis, I recommend Elementary Analysis by Ross. This is below the level of Rudin's Principles of Mathematical Analysis, but it's easy for self-study. It has hints and solutions in the back for proof problems. This book is also very cheap, which makes it nice.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/038790459X/?tag=pfamazon01-20

For a more advanced analysis book, Carothers' Real Analysis is fantastic and it has a very different style than other books. I highly recommend it. I used this for self study of some more advanced analysis concepts.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521497566/?tag=pfamazon01-20

For Algebra (Groups, Rings, Fields), I really liked Abstract Algebra: An Introduction by Hungerford. For some reason, it's ridiculously expensive though. However, it has lots of examples and problems sorted by difficulty and it has hints in the back.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0030105595/?tag=pfamazon01-20

For topology, Munkres' text is great.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0131816292/?tag=pfamazon01-20

If you have any interest in pursuing analysis, Kreyszig's Functional Analysis book is very easy and readable with tons of examples. The only background required is linear algebra and some analysis.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471504599/?tag=pfamazon01-20
 
Last edited by a moderator:


What do you currently know?
 


The most advanced things I know in calculus are integration by parts and partial derivatives, I know the basics of group theory and have a good knowledge of linear algebra, actually the whole content of Poole's Linear Algebra book, besides the usual high-school math.
Ebolapox, thank you for your recommendations. I really liked the topology book and have access to it here in Brazil, so I think that issue is settled, but the other ones on algebra are too expensive and I don't have access to them, do you have any other recommendation?
Regarding analysis, thanks for the books, but I will have this subject covered in college, so I don't need the books right now, but thank you anyway!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
475
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
866
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
10K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K