# What to self study(math wise)

1. Jul 13, 2007

### Winzer

So, for engineering, I am in collge and studying calc II, will go onto III, diff eq. ,linear Algebra, and eventually Analysis .
However I really want a good knowledge in all mathematics. So I am stuck what I should study on my own. Should I start with number theory?

2. Jul 13, 2007

### JohnDuck

Many books on number theory may be beyond you at this point (I'm not really familiar with the literature, though). Real analysis, abstract algebra, and point-set topology would be a good starting place.

3. Jul 13, 2007

### Winzer

Shouldn't real analysis be studied after I finish the regular calc?

4. Jul 13, 2007

### JohnDuck

Not necessarily. Introductory courses in real analysis develop all the ideas you get in "regular" calculus courses with a focus on proofs and theorems rather than problem solving. You don't need the skills developed in the latter per se, though they may be useful at times.

5. Jul 13, 2007

### Winzer

what is point-set topology?

6. Jul 13, 2007

### JohnDuck

It's a good starting place for learning about topology, because it doesn't require much background (just some basic notions from set theory) and it develops ideas which will pop up again and again in more advanced maths. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point-set_topology" [Broken]

Last edited by a moderator: May 3, 2017
7. Jul 13, 2007

### Pseudo Statistic

Indeed-- the typical first real analysis course is done concurrently with multivariable calculus here, so your ability to put up with the theorem-proof approach to math would matter more so than your calculus knowledge/techniques when it comes to learning real analysis.
Isn't it possible to take real analysis concurrently with calculus or linear algebra over there? (Depending on the course material, it might help to have a linear algebra background)

8. Jul 14, 2007

### Winzer

Well I go to an Engineering Uni. and they have things pretty laid out ciriculum wise so I don't think I would be able to. I will have to check.
I am just in Calc II by the way

9. Jul 14, 2007

### JohnDuck

The subjects I previously mentioned should be within your means. It's the kind of stuff math majors fresh out of the standard calculus sequence take, and at an introductory level they make minimal use of calculus (except real analysis--it is calculus).

10. Jul 14, 2007

### Winzer

What is the difference between real analysis, and analysis?

11. Jul 14, 2007

### Pseudo Statistic

Real analysis deals with $$\mathbb{R}^n$$ and analysis deals with everything including $$\mathbb{R}^n$$, i.e. inner product spaces, normed linear spaces, metric spaces, ... , $$\mathbb{C}^n$$.
...or so I think.
Anyway, as far as you being in Calc II is concerned, I don't think real analysis is too much of a stretch, as everything is developed from scratch (the field axioms) and so it's more about your proof/proof-following skills than your knowledge.

12. Jul 14, 2007

### MathematicalPhysicist

if youre not familiar with the literature then how could you know that it's beyond him?
most first courses in number theory require a minimal background in maths, perhaps induction is all one needs to know beforehand, even this is sometime recalled again in the course\book.

anyway, there are quite a lot elementary number books, i used burton's, but there are more ofcourse.

13. Jul 14, 2007

### Winzer

Thanks Pseudo Statistic for clarifying that. yes I would like to gain and refine skills in proofing so real analysis sounds right up my alley, plus it will give more insight into Calc. I will have to go to my Uni.'s library and check one out.
Should I check out intro to real analysis, or just real analysis?

Ok so maybe the study of real analysis and some elementry number theory will do me good, thanks.
Should I get a book like intor to number theory?

14. Jul 14, 2007

### tronter

If you want to learn intro topology, study Munkres Text.

15. Jul 14, 2007

Start with google to see what you're interested in and what you can handle. I don't know what engineering field you're into and what you're really interested in, but numerical analysis has wide applications in most engineering fields, so, if you have a solid analysis/linear algebra background, you could get into that.

16. Jul 14, 2007

i'm not sure if you really need any more math after linear algebra for engineering. any other math topics will be taught during courses.

(heck, my brother never had an actual course in linear algebra, and he's almost done with his masters degree.)

17. Jul 14, 2007

### ^_^physicist

I would frown upon number theory for engineering, but this is just because I don't know of many applied mathematics texts that make use of number theory (so I could be totally wrong).

In my personal opinion picking up multi-linear algebra and differential geometry would be a great place to start. You might be a little over your head in a differential geometry class depending on the approach and might need a class on PDE's first--but if you are going into any engineering that will require continuum mechanics differential geometry and a solid knowledge of tensors will be of use.

18. Jul 14, 2007

### Winzer

Ok so here is the thing, I am majoring in BS. Engineering Physics, and I might later double with an applied math BS.
So yes I will be studying alot of applied math: Calc I-III, linear, math physics, ODE's & PDE's. However, just for self interest and better knowledge of mathematics-especialy calculus- I woudl like to get into some pure mathematics.

19. Jul 15, 2007

### Pseudo Statistic

You should probably read the first few pages of each book, either from the library or from http://books.google.com, and decide which suits you better.
Since you'll be checking out of a library, you might want to try Spivak's Calculus. However, it lacks a few things like functions from $$\mathbb{R}^n$$ to $$\mathbb{R}^m$$ and the calculus of such functions.

20. Jul 15, 2007

### Winzer

I believe I own a Spivak equivalent:One-Variable Calculus, with an Introduction to Linear Algebra SECOND EDITION vol I - Apostol.