Logic for Mathematics and Computer Science [Paperback]

Stanley N. Burris (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0132859742 | ISBN-13: 978-0132859745 | Publication Date: August 28, 1997 | Edition: 1

This book provides an elementary "hands-on" presentation of important mathematical logic topics. Explores topics that are at the cutting edge of developments in computer science, while preserving the integrity of traditional logic. Stresses several self-contained proof systems of interest to mathematical logic, some more suitable than others for particular kinds of questions. For anyone interested in Computer Science or Mathematics.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This book provides an elementary "hands-on" presentation of important mathematical logic topics. Explores topics that are at the cutting edge of developments in computer science, while preserving the integrity of traditional logic. Stresses several self-contained proof systems of interest to mathematical logic, some more suitable than others for particular kinds of questions. For anyone interested in Computer Science or Mathematics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 420 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (August 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0132859742
• ISBN-13: 978-0132859745
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #882,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars gives basics for automated reasoning, March 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Logic for Mathematics and Computer Science (Paperback)

I found this book to be an excellent reference for automated reasoning. It covers resolution and unification in great detail. It also covers Knuth-Bendix procedure for equational logic. I used this book as a starting point to learning about automated reasoning and logic in AI.

I recommend this book for anyone who is just beginning to learn about automated reasoning.

The one suggestion that I have to anyone reading this book is to review your abstract algebrea and set theory. Although this books does introduce and cover abstract algebra basics, anohter reference is useful. As for set theory, try Schaum's Outline on Set Theory as an intro or a refresher.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great as preparation for automated reasoning, not so hot otherwise, October 22, 2008

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Logic for Mathematics and Computer Science (Paperback)

In terms of the coverage of logic for mathematics and computer science, the target here is really the area of automated theorem proving. The book is split into two sections:

*) Quantifier-free logics
*) Logic with quantifiers

While the basic coverage of the propositional and predicate calculi is typical of what is done in other logic books, chapter three deals with equational logic and there is some coverage of abstract algebra. In particular, the representation of algebraic structures such as groups and fields. There is also extensive coverage of term rewrite systems (TRSs), which are constructed using replacement rules that resemble those of formal grammars.
If you are looking for a text in a course in basic mathematical logic, in my opinion this one is unsuitable. The extensive coverage of representations of structures including graphs takes you down a path not normally taken in a course in mathematical logic. In terms of computer science, it would have been helpful if more effort were spent in tying the logic into more mainstream areas covered in the computer science major. I also would not consider using this book as a text in a course in computation theory.

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A logician from holland, September 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Logic for Mathematics and Computer Science (Paperback)

I used this book as a course book and I can say that it is quite difficult to follow the book. All the proofs are either intuitive or very short without much explanation or example. So, if you want to take this book as a guide for this field think twice!