Help Needed: Supplementing My Mathematical Analysis Course

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter MrGandalf
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Analysis Textbook
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around seeking supplementary resources for a mathematical analysis course, specifically addressing the challenges faced with the assigned textbook, T.W. Körner's 'A Companion To Analysis'. Participants share their experiences and suggest alternative texts that may aid in understanding key concepts of real analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty with the assigned textbook and requests suggestions for supplementary materials covering topics like the fundamental axiom and metric spaces.
  • Another participant mentions a previous discussion on a similar topic related to complex analysis and recommends R.R. Boas as a good choice.
  • Some participants share their frustrations with textbooks in general, noting that while instructors may explain concepts clearly, the texts can be challenging to comprehend.
  • A participant questions the criticism of Körner's book, asserting that it is well-regarded and their supervisor.
  • There is acknowledgment that the subject matter is inherently difficult, leading to varying opinions on the effectiveness of different texts.
  • One participant suggests Michael Spivak's Calculus as a potential resource, although another points out that it is not specifically an analysis book.
  • Another participant argues that if a book can facilitate learning analysis, its classification may not be as important.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of Körner's textbook, with some finding it difficult while others defend its quality. There is no consensus on the best supplementary resource, as suggestions vary widely.

Contextual Notes

Participants' suggestions and experiences are based on personal preferences and learning styles, which may not universally apply. The discussion reflects a range of opinions on the accessibility of mathematical texts.

Who May Find This Useful

Students enrolled in mathematical analysis courses or those seeking additional resources to enhance their understanding of real analysis concepts.

MrGandalf
Messages
30
Reaction score
0
Cheers, my dear friends of the physicsforums community!

I'm taking a course in mathematical analysis, and it's really giving me something of a headache. To be honest I find the assigned textbook very difficult to read, and I was hoping someone here could give me some suggestions for a supplementary book.

As this is real analysis it should cover topics like the fundamental axiom, the supremum, Bolzano-Weierstrass theorem, uniform convergence, metric spaces etc.

The textbook of the course (and the curriculum) is T.W Körners 'A Companion To Analysis'.
http://www.ams.org/bookstore-getitem/item=gsm-62

Hope someone can give some nice suggestions, and I will order it from amazon ASAP. :)
May the force be with you!
- Gandalf
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
There was a thread on this subject involving complex analysis a couple of months ago. Search under my name (wildman). I picked RR Boas and it was a very good choice.

But I hear you on the difficulty of some textbooks. I'm trying to take a stochastic process class and I'm about ready to give up. I have read the textbook over and over and it doesn't make sense. What the instructor says is very clear, but the textbook is impossible.
 
Thanks for the tip.

wildman said:
I have read the textbook over and over and it doesn't make sense. What the instructor says is very clear, but the textbook is impossible.

Exactly the case!

I usually don't follow the classes, and just do a super-reading the last month before the exams. Good thing I decided to try the classes for a change, or I would have been in for a nasty surprise! ;)
 
what's wrong with koerner's book?! he's my supervisor and he rocks!
 
I'm sure he's great, it's just that I find the book hard to read.

It's a difficult subject after all...
 
MrGandalf said:
I'm sure he's great, it's just that I find the book hard to read.

It's a difficult subject after all...

I suppose so. I have to say i agree. You could try Michael Spivak's Calculus
 
scottie_000 said:
I suppose so. I have to say i agree. You could try Michael Spivak's Calculus

Except that this is not an analysis book.
 
so what? if you can learn analysis from it, that's what matters, right?
 

Similar threads

What was the cost of a Soviet high school math textbook in 1976?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
12K
Courses Help Needed: Deciding on My 3rd Year Physics Courses
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Courses Struggle in Graduate Analysis course despite 'doing the right things'
  • · Replies 61 ·
3
Replies
61
Views
10K
Graduate Unfamiliar Concepts in Stochastic Stability and Control: Help Needed!
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Struggling with Advanced Calculus and Geometry: How to Study and Improve?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Studying Approaching My 10 Week "Summer" Study Plan
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Mathematica This Week's Finds in Mathematical Physics (Week 236)
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Mathematica This Week's Finds in Mathematical Physics (Week 236)
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K