Need some advice for math books

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for mathematics books suitable for a high school graduate interested in Real Analysis, Topology, Complex Numbers, and Number Theory. The focus is on finding accessible texts that do not delve into advanced pure mathematics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire for introductory books on Real Analysis, Topology, Complex Numbers, and Number Theory without advanced content.
  • Another participant suggests "All the Mathematics You Missed But Need to Know for Graduate School" as a useful resource, though it is aimed at graduate students.
  • A recommendation is made for "The Princeton Companion to Mathematics," which is claimed to cover the requested topics.
  • A participant doubts that the previously mentioned books adequately cover topology, noting their good quality but lack of content on that specific subject.
  • Mendelson's "Introduction to Topology" is proposed as an easier read compared to other recommendations, though it is still a math textbook.
  • "What is Mathematics?" by Courant is suggested as a comprehensive and accessible book that includes topology and practice problems.
  • Another participant recommends "Creative Mathematics" by H.S. Wall, describing it as a self-contained text that guides readers through various mathematical concepts and proofs.
  • A caution is raised that without knowledge of proofs, set theory, or calculus, learning advanced topics like Real Analysis and Topology may not be fruitful.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the suitability of specific books for covering the topic of topology, with some recommendations being contested. There is no consensus on which books best meet the original poster's needs.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight limitations in the recommended books regarding their coverage of topology, indicating a potential gap in the resources available for the original poster's interests.

AdrianZ
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Hi
well I'm a high school graduate. I need some books about Real Analysis, Topology, Complex numbers and number theory. I just want to have a glimpse of such topics, I don't want to study pure mathematics. I just study mathematics because I'm interested and I don't want something so advanced that I can't understand it.

thank you
 
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Looking around on Amazon, I found this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0195310764/?tag=pfamazon01-20

There's All the Mathematics You Missed But Need to Know for Graduate School, but that's obviously for gradual students. I have this, and it is somewhat useful for jogging the memory.
 
Thank you but I doubt the books you said cover topology. I checked both of them and they are good, especially the first one, but none of them talks about topology.
 
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Mendelson Introduction to topology is a fairly easy (compared to most stuff recommended on this site) read. However its still a math textbook.
 
What is Mathematics? by Courant

It will satisfy all your needs, even topology. It is accessible, and actually can be used as a refresher, it even has practice problems.
 
creative mathematics by h.s. wall is a book that teaches you mathematics in a self-contained way. it is a non-standard book and sounds like a good fit for you if you just want to work through some mathematics and complete proofs in your spare time. the text leads you through basic properties of real numbers, through calculus, and all the way to differential equations and differential geometry (though in unfamiliar forms). when you're done, you will have basically set up the entire theory of the book yourself, as you are required to verify almost every result yourself. it's worth taking a look at.

if you don't know how to do proofs, set theory, or even calculus, then i don't think learning real analysis, topology, and complex analysis will be very fruitful, as you will be missing much of the motivation of these subjects.
 

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