Can You Recommend a Book to Better Understand Abstract Math Concepts?

  • Context: Algebra 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Thorium90
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mathematics
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for books that help understand abstract mathematical concepts, particularly in the field of algebra. Participants express a desire for resources that explain fundamental concepts in a more insightful manner rather than merely stating facts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a book that explains algebraic concepts in a more comprehensive and clever way, rather than just presenting them as facts.
  • Another participant inquires about the specific topic of interest for the book recommendation.
  • The original poster clarifies that they are looking for a book focused on algebra with an emphasis on fundamental logic to aid in understanding more complex topics later on.
  • A suggestion is made to consider "Basic Mathematics" by Serge Lang and "Algebra and Trigonometry" by I.M. Gelfand as potential resources for pre-calculus algebra.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for a book that provides deeper insights into algebra, but there is no consensus on specific recommendations beyond the suggestions made.

Contextual Notes

The discussion lacks specific details on the level of complexity desired in the recommendations and does not resolve which book might be the best fit for the original poster's needs.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in enhancing their understanding of algebra and seeking resources that explain mathematical concepts in a more engaging and insightful manner.

Thorium90
So I recently join an engineering course, in my pure math classes we are currently studying basic algebra, simultaneous equations or quadratics. I quickly found all this very abstract and presented as facts.

Now, I don't know how to phrase this, rather than looking for a book that just states what laws of indices are, and so on. I am looking for a book that would explain these more as maybe a full concepts and its cleverness if you will.

I have heard that some people like a book called 'A most elegant equation' but I don't even know how relevant it would be. What would you recommend?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Thorium90 said:
So I recently join an engineering course, in my pure math classes we are currently studying basic algebra, simultaneous equations or quadratics. I quickly found all this very abstract and presented as facts.

Now, I don't know how to phrase this, rather than looking for a book that just states what laws of indices are, and so on. I am looking for a book that would explain these more as maybe a full concepts and its cleverness if you will.

I have heard that some people like a book called 'A most elegant equation' but I don't even know how relevant it would be. What would you recommend?

You didn't mention on what topic should the book be ?
 
Buffu said:
You didn't mention on what topic should the book be ?

Ow yeah my bad if I wasn't clear, a book looking into the field of algebra with emphasis on fundamental logic so I can get a better understanding once I start moving to the more complex things like Boolean algebra or calculus.
 
For pre-calculus algebra try Basic Mathematics by Serge Lang, Algebra and Trigonometry by I.M. Gelfand.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
11K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
13K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Sticky
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
13K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K