Product Description

This survey of both discrete and continuous mathematics focuses on the logical thinking skills necessary to understand and communicate fundamental ideas and proofs in mathematics, rather than on rote symbolic manipulation. Coverage begins with the fundamentals of mathematical language and proof techniques (such as induction); then applies them to easily-understood questions in elementary number theory and counting; then develops additional techniques of proofs via fundamental topics in discrete and continuous mathematics. Topics are addressed in the context of familiar objects; easily-understood, engaging examples; and over 700 stimulating exercises and problems, ranging from simple applications to subtle problems requiring ingenuity. ELEMENTARY CONCEPTS. Numbers, Sets and Functions. Language and Proofs. Properties of Functions. Induction. PROPERTIES OF NUMBERS. Counting and Cardinality. Divisibility. Modular Arithmetic. The Rational Numbers. DISCRETE MATHEMATICS. Combinatorial Reasoning. Two Principles of Counting. Graph Theory. Recurrence Relations. CONTINUOUS MATHEMATICS. The Real Numbers. Sequences and Series. Continuity. Differentiation. Integration. The Complex Numbers. For anyone interested in learning how to understand and write mathematical proofs, or a reference for college professors and high school teachers of mathematics.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #267632 in Books
• Published on: 1999-12-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 1.44 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 412 pages

From the Publisher
Offering a survey of both discrete and continuous mathematics, Mathematical Thinking begins with the fundamentals of mathematical language and proof techniques such as induction. These are applied to easily-understood questions in elementary number theory and counting. Further techniques of proofs are then developed via fundamental topics in discrete and continuous mathematics. The text can be used for courses emphasizing discrete mathematics, continuous mathematics, or a balance between the two. It contains many engaging examples and stimulating exercises.

From the Back Cover
This survey of both discrete and continuous mathematics focuses on the logical thinking skills necessary to understand and communicate fundamental ideas and proofs in mathematics, rather than on rote symbolic manipulation. Coverage begins with the fundamentals of mathematical language and proof techniques (such as induction); then applies them to easily-understood questions in elementary number theory and counting; then develops additional techniques of proofs via fundamental topics in discrete and continuous mathematics. Topics are addressed in the context of familiar objects; easily-understood, engaging examples; and over 700 stimulating exercises and problems, ranging from simple applications to subtle problems requiring ingenuity. ELEMENTARY CONCEPTS. Numbers, Sets and Functions. Language and Proofs. Properties of Functions. Induction. PROPERTIES OF NUMBERS. Counting and Cardinality. Divisibility. Modular Arithmetic. The Rational Numbers. DISCRETE MATHEMATICS. Combinatorial Reasoning. Two Principles of Counting. Graph Theory. Recurrence Relations. CONTINUOUS MATHEMATICS. The Real Numbers. Sequences and Series. Continuity. Differentiation. Integration. The Complex Numbers. For anyone interested in learning how to understand and write mathematical proofs, or a reference for college professors and high school teachers of mathematics.