Numbers, Groups and Codes [Paperback]

J. F. Humphreys (Author), M. Y. Prest (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 052154050X | ISBN-13: 978-0521540506 | Publication Date: May 24, 2004 | Edition: 2

This thoroughly revised and updated version of the popular textbook on abstract algebra introduces students to easily understood problems and concepts. John Humphreys and Mike Prest include many examples and exercises throughout the book to make it more appealing to students and instructors. The second edition features new sections on mathematical reasoning and polynomials. In addition, three chapters have been completely rewritten and all others have been updated. First Edition Pb (1990): 0-521-35938-4

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book merits a close look because of its pedagogical strengths. One might say this book really is about 'How to think about mathematics.' And that is a great virtue...The book is sprinkled with historical and other motivations...a very useful text on abstract algebra." MAA Online

Book Description

This is a thoroughly revised and updated version of the popular textbook on abstract algebra. The material is introduced with clarity and reference to problems and concepts that students will easily understand. Throughout the book the authors have taken care to include plenty of examples and exercises to make the book appealing to both students and instructors. This new edition will serve even better as an introduction to this important and ubiquitous subject.

Product Details

• Paperback: 354 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (May 24, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 052154050X
• ISBN-13: 978-0521540506
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #324,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The most fascinating math book I've ever read., October 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Numbers, Groups and Codes (Hardcover)

This a university-level math textbook, but it can be read by anyone with a high school-level knowledge of algebra. It covers subjects such as set theory, error-correcting codes, properties of prime numbers, and boolean algebra, and it's FUN!! I especially liked the section on congruence classes. To give an example: the authors explain why a number of the form 4k + 3 (k is an integer) can never be the sum of squares, and they give you the tools to discover your own odd facts such as that. A very well-written math book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, August 6, 2010

By 

JAT - See all my reviews

This review is from: Numbers, Groups and Codes (Paperback)

This book is ideal for a first brush with abstract algebra. Ideally it should be read before one tackles linear algebra - however, this is rarely the case. The book is extremely well written, contains many exercises and some solutions, consistently points the reader towards more advanced texts in the appropriate areas, and gives many brief and interesting historical anecdotes.
The approach is fairly elementary in many places - for instance, one proves many results for the integers alone, which are in fact true for rings in general. However, this serves the important pedagogical purpose of introducing topics in a context with which we are all familiar - later, when reading more advanced texts, the ideas are easily generalized.
The book is a great buy for the price. I highly recommend it.