Abstract Algebra: A First Undergraduate Course

The authors have used forty years of class­room experience to design a text that serves as a superb introduction to abstract algebra. All students, even those with no previous know­ledge of abstract or linear algebra, will benefit from the organization and selection of topics. Outstanding features include: (1) builds abstraction on a solid foundation of concrete examples; (2) develops concepts gradually but allows for more rapid progress as students’ mathematical maturity increases; (3) offers unparalleled problem sets; and (4) foreshadows important topics and then clearly presents and applies them to facilitate retention, not mere exposure. The historical and biographical notes on major contributors to the develop­ment of algebra show that mathematics continues to be created by real people. The preface shows how to use the text’s flexibility to achieve any of several goals.