Contemporary students of mathematics differ considerably from those of half a century ago. In spite of this, many textbooks written and now considered to be "classics" decades ago are still prescribed for students today. These texts are not suitable for today's students. This text is meant for and written to today's mathematics students.

Set theory is a pure mathematics endeavour in the sense that it seems to have no immediate applications; yet the knowledge and skills developed in such a course can easily branch out to various fields of both pure mathematics and applied mathematics.

Rather than transforming the reader into a practicing mathematician this book is more designed to initiate the reader to what may be called "mathematical thinking" while developing knowledge about foundations of modern mathematics. Without this insight, becoming a practicing mathematician is much more daunting.

The main objective is twofold. The students will develop some fundamental understanding of the foundations of mathematics and elements of set theory, in general. In the process, the student will develop skills in proving simple mathematical statements with "mathematical rigor".

Carefully presented detailed proofs and rigorous chains of logical arguments will guide the students from the fundamental ZFC axioms and definitions to show why a basic mathematical statement must hold true. The student will recognize the role played by each fundamental axiom in development of modern mathematics. The student will learn to distinguish between a correct mathematical proof and an erroneous one. The subject matter is presented while by passing the complexities encountered when using formal logic.

About the Author
Robert Andre recently completed eighteen years as a Lecturer, Department of Pure Mathematics, University of Waterloo. He holds a Ph.D. graduate from the University of Manitoba specializing in Point-set topology. He has taught high school mathematics for 14 years in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. Dr. Andre has lectured general and honors courses at all levels in the undergraduate program.


Book Information
ISBN 9781032954820
Author Robert Andre
Format Hardback
Page Count 448
Imprint Chapman & Hall/CRC
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd