A Concrete Introduction to Higher Algebra
3rd Edition
Published on 19. November 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
XIV, 604 pages
978-1-4419-2561-9 (ISBN)
Description
This book is written as an introduction to higher algebra for students with a background of a year of calculus. It has been used as a successful undergraduate text for more than 20 years. The objective of the book is to give students enough experience in the algebraic theory of the integers and polynomials to appreciate the basic concepts of abstract algebra. New sections on Luhn's formula, Cosets and equations, and detaching coefficients are included. The later chapters include expositions of Rabiin's probabilistic primality test, quadratic reciprocity, and the classification of finite fields. Over 900 exercises, ranging from routine examples to extensions of theory, are found throughout the book; hints and answers for many of them are included in an appendix.
Reviews / Votes
From the reviews:"The user-friendly exposition is appropriate for the intended audience. Exercises often appear in the text at the point they are relevant, as well as at the end of the section or chapter. Hints for selected exercises are given at the end of the book. There is sufficient material for a two-semester course and various suggestions for one-semester courses are provided. Although the overall organization remains the same in the second edition¿Changes include the following: greater emphasis on finite groups, more explicit use of homomorphisms, increased use of the Chinese remainder theorem, coverage of cubic and quartic polynomial equations, and applications which use the discrete Fourier transform." MATHEMATICAL REVIEWSFrom the reviews of the third edition:"This book is an introduction to abstract algebra. . it has enough material to give the instructor flexibility in the course. It is a good book for the serious student to have in his/her library. . I would recommend this especially for self-study, as the book reads exactly as a good teacher talks to a class." (Philosophy, Religion and Science Book Reviews, bookinspections.wordpress.com, October, 2013)"This book can serve as both an introduction to number theory and abstract algebra, sacrifices have to be made with respect to its algebraic content. . the book has been written with a high degree of rigor and accuracy and I definitely recommend it for consideration as the basis of an alternative route into abstract algebra and its applications." (The Mathematical Association of America, April, 2009)"The target audience remains students requiring a substantial introduction to the elements of university-level algebra. . the text proceeds throughout on a foundation built from the students' familiarity with integers and polynomials over fields. Great care is taken to proceed to abstract concepts by way of familiar examples, and agreat many exercises are provided throughout the text. . A noteworthy feature of the book is the inclusion of extensive material on applications, to such topics as cryptography and factoring polynomials." (Kenneth A. Brown, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2009 i)More details
Series
Edition
Softcover reprint of hardcover 3rd ed. 2009
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Lower undergraduate
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
XIV, 604 p.
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 34 mm
Weight
925 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4419-2561-9 (9781441925619)
DOI
10.1007/978-0-387-74725-5
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Lindsay N. Childs
A Concrete Introduction to Higher Algebra
E-Book
12/2008
3rd Edition
Springer
€64.19
Available for download
Lindsay N. Childs
A Concrete Introduction to Higher Algebra
Book
11/2008
3rd Edition
Springer
€90.94
Shipment within 5-7 days
Person
Lindsay N. Childs is Professor Emeritus at the University of Albany where he earned recognition as a much-loved mentor of students, and as an expert in Galois field theory. Capping his tenure at Albany, he was named a Collins Fellow for his extraordinary devotion to the University at Albany and the people in it over a sustained period of time. Post University of Albany, Professor Childs has taught a sequence of online courses whose content evolved into this book. Lindsay Childs is author of A Concrete Introduction to Higher Algebra, published in Springer's Undergraduate Texts in Mathematics series, as well as a monograph, Taming Wild Extensions: Hopf Algebras and Local Galois Module Theory (American Mathematical Society), and more than 60 research publications in abstract algebra.
Content
Numbers.- Numbers.- Induction.- Euclid's Algorithm.- Unique Factorization.- Congruence.- Congruence classes and rings.- Congruence Classes.- Rings and Fields.- Matrices and Codes.- Congruences and Groups.- Fermat's and Euler's Theorems.- Applications of Euler's Theorem.- Groups.- The Chinese Remainder Theorem.- Polynomials.- Polynomials.- Unique Factorization.- The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra.- Polynomials in ?[x].- Congruences and the Chinese Remainder Theorem.- Fast Polynomial Multiplication.- Primitive Roots.- Cyclic Groups and Cryptography.- Carmichael Numbers.- Quadratic Reciprocity.- Quadratic Applications.- Finite Fields.- Congruence Classes Modulo a Polynomial.- Homomorphisms and Finite Fields.- BCH Codes.- Factoring Polynomials.- Factoring in ?[x].- Irreducible Polynomials.