Abstract Algebra and Famous Impossibilities

Abstract Algebra and Famous Impossibilities PDF Author: Sidney A. Morris
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3031056981
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 233

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Book Description
This textbook develops the abstract algebra necessary to prove the impossibility of four famous mathematical feats: squaring the circle, trisecting the angle, doubling the cube, and solving quintic equations. All the relevant concepts about fields are introduced concretely, with the geometrical questions providing motivation for the algebraic concepts. By focusing on problems that are as easy to approach as they were fiendishly difficult to resolve, the authors provide a uniquely accessible introduction to the power of abstraction. Beginning with a brief account of the history of these fabled problems, the book goes on to present the theory of fields, polynomials, field extensions, and irreducible polynomials. Straightedge and compass constructions establish the standards for constructability, and offer a glimpse into why squaring, doubling, and trisecting appeared so tractable to professional and amateur mathematicians alike. However, the connection between geometry and algebra allows the reader to bypass two millennia of failed geometric attempts, arriving at the elegant algebraic conclusion that such constructions are impossible. From here, focus turns to a challenging problem within algebra itself: finding a general formula for solving a quintic polynomial. The proof of the impossibility of this task is presented using Abel’s original approach. Abstract Algebra and Famous Impossibilities illustrates the enormous power of algebraic abstraction by exploring several notable historical triumphs. This new edition adds the fourth impossibility: solving general quintic equations. Students and instructors alike will appreciate the illuminating examples, conversational commentary, and engaging exercises that accompany each section. A first course in linear algebra is assumed, along with a basic familiarity with integral calculus.

Abstract Algebra and Famous Impossibilities

Abstract Algebra and Famous Impossibilities PDF Author: Sidney A. Morris
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3031056981
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 233

Get Book Here

Book Description
This textbook develops the abstract algebra necessary to prove the impossibility of four famous mathematical feats: squaring the circle, trisecting the angle, doubling the cube, and solving quintic equations. All the relevant concepts about fields are introduced concretely, with the geometrical questions providing motivation for the algebraic concepts. By focusing on problems that are as easy to approach as they were fiendishly difficult to resolve, the authors provide a uniquely accessible introduction to the power of abstraction. Beginning with a brief account of the history of these fabled problems, the book goes on to present the theory of fields, polynomials, field extensions, and irreducible polynomials. Straightedge and compass constructions establish the standards for constructability, and offer a glimpse into why squaring, doubling, and trisecting appeared so tractable to professional and amateur mathematicians alike. However, the connection between geometry and algebra allows the reader to bypass two millennia of failed geometric attempts, arriving at the elegant algebraic conclusion that such constructions are impossible. From here, focus turns to a challenging problem within algebra itself: finding a general formula for solving a quintic polynomial. The proof of the impossibility of this task is presented using Abel’s original approach. Abstract Algebra and Famous Impossibilities illustrates the enormous power of algebraic abstraction by exploring several notable historical triumphs. This new edition adds the fourth impossibility: solving general quintic equations. Students and instructors alike will appreciate the illuminating examples, conversational commentary, and engaging exercises that accompany each section. A first course in linear algebra is assumed, along with a basic familiarity with integral calculus.

Abstract Algebra and Famous Impossibilities

Abstract Algebra and Famous Impossibilities PDF Author: Arthur Jones
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1441985522
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 191

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Book Description
The famous problems of squaring the circle, doubling the cube and trisecting an angle captured the imagination of both professional and amateur mathematicians for over two thousand years. Despite the enormous effort and ingenious attempts by these men and women, the problems would not yield to purely geometrical methods. It was only the development. of abstract algebra in the nineteenth century which enabled mathematicians to arrive at the surprising conclusion that these constructions are not possible. In this book we develop enough abstract algebra to prove that these constructions are impossible. Our approach introduces all the relevant concepts about fields in a way which is more concrete than usual and which avoids the use of quotient structures (and even of the Euclidean algorithm for finding the greatest common divisor of two polynomials). Having the geometrical questions as a specific goal provides motivation for the introduction of the algebraic concepts and we have found that students respond very favourably. We have used this text to teach second-year students at La Trobe University over a period of many years, each time refining the material in the light of student performance.

Famous Problems of Geometry and How to Solve Them

Famous Problems of Geometry and How to Solve Them PDF Author: Benjamin Bold
Publisher: Courier Corporation
ISBN: 0486137635
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 148

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Book Description
Delve into the development of modern mathematics and match wits with Euclid, Newton, Descartes, and others. Each chapter explores an individual type of challenge, with commentary and practice problems. Solutions.

Famous Problems, and Other Monographs

Famous Problems, and Other Monographs PDF Author: Felix Klein
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780828401081
Category : Calculus of tensors
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description


Combinatorics: Ancient & Modern

Combinatorics: Ancient & Modern PDF Author: Robin Wilson
Publisher:
ISBN: 0199656592
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 392

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Book Description
Combinatorics is the branch of discrete mathematics that studies (and counts) permutations, combinations, and arrangements of sets of elements. This book constitutes the first book-length survey of the history of combinatorics and uniquely assembles research in the area that would otherwise be inaccessible to the general reader.

Encyclopaedia of Mathematics

Encyclopaedia of Mathematics PDF Author: Michiel Hazewinkel
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 940151237X
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 506

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Book Description
This ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF MA THEMA TICS aims to be a reference work for all parts of mathe matics. It is a translation with updates and editorial comments of the Soviet Mathematical Encyclopaedia published by 'Soviet Encyclopaedia Publishing House' in five volumes in 1977-1985. The annotated translation consists of ten volumes including a special index volume. There are three kinds of articles in this ENCYCLOPAEDIA. First of all there are survey-type articles dealing with the various main directions in mathematics (where a rather fine subdivi sion has been used). The main requirement for these articles has been that they should give a reasonably complete up-to-date account of the current state of affairs in these areas and that they should be maximally accessible. On the whole, these articles should be understandable to mathematics students in their first specialization years, to graduates from other mathematical areas and, depending on the specific subject, to specialists in other domains of science, en gineers and teachers of mathematics. These articles treat their material at a fairly general level and aim to give an idea of the kind of problems, techniques and concepts involved in the area in question. They also contain background and motivation rather than precise statements of precise theorems with detailed definitions and technical details on how to carry out proofs and constructions. The second kind of article, of medium length, contains more detailed concrete problems, results and techniques.

An Invitation to Real Analysis

An Invitation to Real Analysis PDF Author: Luis F. Moreno
Publisher: The Mathematical Association of America
ISBN: 1939512050
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 681

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Book Description
An Invitation to Real Analysis is written both as a stepping stone to higher calculus and analysis courses, and as foundation for deeper reasoning in applied mathematics. This book also provides a broader foundation in real analysis than is typical for future teachers of secondary mathematics. In connection with this, within the chapters, students are pointed to numerous articles from The College Mathematics Journal and The American Mathematical Monthly. These articles are inviting in their level of exposition and their wide-ranging content. Axioms are presented with an emphasis on the distinguishing characteristics that new ones bring, culminating with the axioms that define the reals. Set theory is another theme found in this book, beginning with what students are familiar with from basic calculus. This theme runs underneath the rigorous development of functions, sequences, and series, and then ends with a chapter on transfinite cardinal numbers and with chapters on basic point-set topology. Differentiation and integration are developed with the standard level of rigor, but always with the goal of forming a firm foundation for the student who desires to pursue deeper study. A historical theme interweaves throughout the book, with many quotes and accounts of interest to all readers. Over 600 exercises and dozens of figures help the learning process. Several topics (continued fractions, for example), are included in the appendices as enrichment material. An annotated bibliography is included.

Mathematical Recreations and Essays

Mathematical Recreations and Essays PDF Author: Walter William Rouse Ball
Publisher: Courier Corporation
ISBN: 0486253570
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 468

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Book Description
This classic work offers scores of stimulating, mind-expanding games and puzzles: arithmetical and geometrical problems, chessboard recreations, magic squares, map-coloring problems, cryptography and cryptanalysis, much more. "A must to add to your mathematics library" ? The Mathematics Teacher. Index. References for Further Study. Includes 150 black-and-white line illustrations.

CRC Concise Encyclopedia of Mathematics

CRC Concise Encyclopedia of Mathematics PDF Author: Eric W. Weisstein
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1420035223
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 3253

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Book Description
Upon publication, the first edition of the CRC Concise Encyclopedia of Mathematics received overwhelming accolades for its unparalleled scope, readability, and utility. It soon took its place among the top selling books in the history of Chapman & Hall/CRC, and its popularity continues unabated. Yet also unabated has been the d

College Geometry

College Geometry PDF Author: Howard Whitley Eves
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning
ISBN: 9780867204759
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 392

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Book Description
College Geometry is divided into two parts. Part I is a sequel to basic high school geometry and introduces the reader to some of the important modern extensions of elementary geometry- extension that have largely entered into the mainstream of mathematics. Part II treats notions of geometric structure that arose with the non-Euclidean revolution in the first half of the nineteenth century.