A Texas Style Introduction to Proof (Maa Textbooks, 35) - Softcover

Taylor, Ron; Rault, Patrick X.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1939512131 ISBN 13: 9781939512130

Publisher: American Mathematical Society, 2017

Synopsis

A TeXas Style Introduction to Proof is an IBL textbook designed for a one-semester course on proofs (the ""bridge course"") that also introduces TeX as a tool students can use to communicate their work. As befitting ""textless"" text, the book is, as one reviewer characterized it, ""minimal."" Written in an easy-going style, the exposition is just enough to support the activities, and it is clear, concise, and effective. The book is well organized and contains ample carefully selected exercises that are varied, interesting, and probing, without being discouragingly difficult.

About this title

About the Author

Ron Taylor is a Professor of Mathematics at Berry College.  Ron is a 2002 Project NExT Fellow of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and recipient of two teaching awards presented by Berry College in addition to the 2013 Distinguished Teaching Award presented by the Southeastern Section of the MAA.  Ron has done research in functional analysis, operator theory, knot theory, geometry, symbolic logic, number theory and graph theory.-Patrick X. Rault is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Arizona.  Patrick is a 2008 Project NExT Fellow of the MAA and, while at the State University of New York at Geneseo, he received the 2015 Henry L. Alder Award presented by the MAA.  Patrick has done research in number theory and matrix analysis.  For his work on bridging the gap between research and the classroom he was awarded by the Council on Undergraduate Research's Math-Computer Science division with an inaugural Faculty Mentoring Award for Outstanding Mentoring of Undergraduate Students in Research.

Review

A lovely little book for beginning mathematics majors and other students encountering proofs for the firsttime. Students should find the text appealing, and it contains many good exercises that a professor can builda course around. The topic list covers the standard list of the fundamental background material for mostundergraduate courses: symbolic logic, induction, set theory, functions, and counting. The third appendixof the book is a 19-page introduction to the LaTeX mathematical typesetting language written for students.Overall, a most satisfying book for a beginning class in mathematical proofs.
-Curt Bennett, Professor of Mathematics at Loyola Marymount University and 2010 Haimo Award Winner

A TEXas Style Introduction to Proof by Ron Taylor and Patrick X. Rault is truly delightful-full of humanizingcharm that softens the hard edge of mathematical rigor. It is gentle, lively, clear, and warm. Students whoread (or, more accurately, actively engage with) this book are cheerfully invited to enjoy the adventure oflearning to prove theorems for themselves. It regularly connects the mathematical precision of logic andproofs with whimsical examples outside math. From this book, students and their instructors will find manyproofs of the joy of mathematics.
-Michael Starbird, University Distinguished Teaching Professor ofMathematics at The University of Texas at Austin and 2007 HaimoAward Winner

Taylor and Rault skillfully guide students through basic proof-writing techniques so that the student createsand discovers the content. The book is well-written, the integration of LaTeX is unique, and the authors havea fantastic sense of humor.
-Amanda Croll, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Concordia University, Irvine

A TEXas Style Introduction to Proof fills an important area of need for the transition between calculus andhigher mathematics. Through an active learning approach, students are empowered to find their own voiceas mathematicians, and the mix of explorations encourage students to "play" with mathematics. Taylor andRault present the material in a relatable, sometimes humorous style that engages all learners. My studentsenjoyed the text so much that they requested we use the remaining material for a subsequent course!
-David Failing, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Lewis University

This is an excellent text that introduces students to mathematical proof via a problem based learningapproach. The writing is both engaging and at the appropriate level for our students. Between the diverseproblem sets and the exploration activities, this book gives students the opportunity to experience what itfeels like to do mathematics.
-Jeff Pullen, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Mercer University

This is a great text to use in an IBL intro to proof course. The prose is conversational and student-friendly,the problem sequence is carefully planned, and I love that instruction of LaTeX is integrated into the book!
-Cassie Williams, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, James Madison University 

Edition details

• Publisher: American Mathematical Society
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1939512131
• ISBN 13: 9781939512130
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 161