Visual Group Theory (MAA Problem Book Series) - Hardcover

Carter, Nathan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 088385757X ISBN 13: 9780883857571

Publisher: The Mathematical Association of America, 2009

Synopsis

This text approaches the learning of group theory visually. It allows the student to see groups, experiment with groups and understand their significance. It brings groups, subgroups, homomorphisms, products, and quotients into clear view. Every topic and theorem is accompanied with a visual demonstration of its meaning and import, from the basics of groups and subgroups through advanced structural concepts such as semidirect products and Sylow theory. Opening chapters anchor the reader's intuitions with puzzles and symmetrical objects, defining groups as collections of actions. This approach gives early access to Cayley diagrams, the visualization technique central to the book, due to its unique ability to make group structure visually evident. This book is ideal as a supplement for a first course in group theory or alternatively as recreational reading.

About this title

About the Author

Nathan Carter earned his PhD in mathematics at Indiana University in July 2004. He received the University of Scranton Excellence in Mathematics Award in 1999, an Indiana University Rothrock Teaching Award in 2003, and a Bentley College Innovation in Teaching Award in 2007. Visual Group Theory is his first book, based on lessons learned while writing the software Group Explorer. Like several of his research projects, it puts computers to work to improve mathematical understanding and education.

Edition details

• Publisher: The Mathematical Association of America
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 088385757X
• ISBN 13: 9780883857571
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 306