From the point of view of strict logic, a rigorous course on real analysis should precede a course on calculus. Strict logic, is, however, overruled by both history and practicality. Historically, calculus, with its origins in the 17th century, came first, and made rapid progress on the basis of informal intuition. Not until well through the 19th century was it possible to claim that the edifice was constructed on sound logical foundations. As for practicality, every university teacher knows that students are not ready for even a semi-rigorous course on analysis until they have acquired the intuitions and the sheer technical skills that come from a traditional calculus course. 1 Real analysis, I have always thought, is the pons asinorv.m of modern mathematics. This shows, I suppose, how much progress we have made in two thousand years, for it is a great deal more sophisticated than the Theorem of Pythagoras, which once received that title. All who have taught the subject know how patient one has to be, for the ideas take root gradually, even in students of good ability. This is not too surprising, since it took more than two centuries for calculus to evolve into what we now call analysis, and even a gifted student, guided by an expert teacher, cannot be expected to grasp all of the issues immediately.

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Reviews
From the reviews: Written in an easy-to-read style, combining informality with precision, the book is ideal for self-study or as a course textbook for first-and second-year undergraduates. Zentralblatt MATH ...the transition from the mysteries of real-analysis to the majesty of real analysis will be smoothed by this engaging, readable text. The Mathematical Gazette "This book is the distillation of Howie's considerable experience in teaching the introductory real analysis course: he adopts a concrete, pragmatic approach ... . The most striking feature of Real Analysis is ... the author's Ferrar-like concern for the reader's understanding which shines through on every page of his carefully written and carefully paced text. ... There are numerous worked examples and some 190 accessible, impeccably pitched exercises ... another attractive feature is the inclusion of full names and dates for all mathematicians mentioned." (Nick Lord, The Mathematical Gazette, Vol. 85 (504), 2001) "The book is a clear and structured introduction to real analysis. ... Fully worked out examples and exercises with solutions extend and illustrate the theory. Written in an easy-to-read style, combining informality and precision, the book is ideal for self-study or as a course textbook for first- and second-year undergraduates." (I. Rasa, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 969, 2001)



Book Information
ISBN 9781852333140
Author John M. Howie
Format Paperback
Page Count 276
Imprint Springer London Ltd
Publisher Springer London Ltd