Elementary Abstract Algebra Examples and Applications
Justin Hill
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1 Preliminaries -- 2 Complex Numbers -- 3 Modular Arithmetic -- 4 Set Theory -- 5 Functions: Basic Concepts -- 6 Application: Introduction to Cryptography -- 7 Sigma Notation -- 8 Polynomials -- 9 Symmetries of Plane Figures -- 10 Permutations -- 11 Abstract Groups: Definitions and Basic Properties -- 12 Application: Further Topics in Cryptography -- 13 Equivalence Relations and Equivalence Classes -- 14 Cosets and Factor Groups -- 15 Application: Error-Detecting and Correcting Codes -- 16 Isomorphisms of Groups -- 17 Exploration: relating poynomials and matrices -- 18 Homomorphisms of Groups -- 19 Group Actions, with Applications -- 20 Appendix: Induction proofs-patterns and examples
This book is not intended for budding mathematicians. It was created for a math program in which most of the students in upper-level math classes are planning to become secondary school teachers. For such students, conventional abstract algebra texts are practically incomprehensible, both in style and in content. Faced with this situation, we decided to create a book that our students could actually read for themselves. In this way we have been able to dedicate class time to problem-solving and personal interaction rather than rehashing the same material in lecture format.