Mathematical Problems and Proofs

Mathematical Problems and Proofs
Author: Branislav Kisacanin
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 219
Release: 2007-05-08
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0306469634

A gentle introduction to the highly sophisticated world of discrete mathematics, Mathematical Problems and Proofs presents topics ranging from elementary definitions and theorems to advanced topics -- such as cardinal numbers, generating functions, properties of Fibonacci numbers, and Euclidean algorithm. This excellent primer illustrates more than 150 solutions and proofs, thoroughly explained in clear language. The generous historical references and anecdotes interspersed throughout the text create interesting intermissions that will fuel readers' eagerness to inquire further about the topics and some of our greatest mathematicians. The author guides readers through the process of solving enigmatic proofs and problems, and assists them in making the transition from problem solving to theorem proving. At once a requisite text and an enjoyable read, Mathematical Problems and Proofs is an excellent entrée to discrete mathematics for advanced students interested in mathematics, engineering, and science.

Mathematical Problems and Proofs

Mathematical Problems and Proofs
Author: Branislav Kisačanin
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 219
Release: 1998-10-31
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0306459671

Introduces the various fields of discrete mathematics to talented high school students and to undergraduates who would like to see illustrations of abstract mathematical concepts and learn a bit about their historic origin. Also teaches how to read mathematical literature in general, which is, always with pencil and paper to hand. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Problems and Proofs in Numbers and Algebra

Problems and Proofs in Numbers and Algebra
Author: Richard S. Millman
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 230
Release: 2015-02-09
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 3319144278

Focusing on an approach of solving rigorous problems and learning how to prove, this volume is concentrated on two specific content themes, elementary number theory and algebraic polynomials. The benefit to readers who are moving from calculus to more abstract mathematics is to acquire the ability to understand proofs through use of the book and the multitude of proofs and problems that will be covered throughout. This book is meant to be a transitional precursor to more complex topics in analysis, advanced number theory, and abstract algebra. To achieve the goal of conceptual understanding, a large number of problems and examples will be interspersed through every chapter. The problems are always presented in a multi-step and often very challenging, requiring the reader to think about proofs, counter-examples, and conjectures. Beyond the undergraduate mathematics student audience, the text can also offer a rigorous treatment of mathematics content (numbers and algebra) for high-achieving high school students. Furthermore, prospective teachers will add to the breadth of the audience as math education majors, will understand more thoroughly methods of proof, and will add to the depth of their mathematical knowledge. In the past, PNA has been taught in a "problem solving in middle school” course (twice), to a quite advanced high school students course (three semesters), and three times as a secondary resource for a course for future high school teachers. PNA is suitable for secondary math teachers who look for material to encourage and motivate more high achieving students.

Proofs from THE BOOK

Proofs from THE BOOK
Author: Martin Aigner
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 194
Release: 2013-06-29
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 3662223430

According to the great mathematician Paul Erdös, God maintains perfect mathematical proofs in The Book. This book presents the authors candidates for such "perfect proofs," those which contain brilliant ideas, clever connections, and wonderful observations, bringing new insight and surprising perspectives to problems from number theory, geometry, analysis, combinatorics, and graph theory. As a result, this book will be fun reading for anyone with an interest in mathematics.

Mathematics and Plausible Reasoning [Two Volumes in One]

Mathematics and Plausible Reasoning [Two Volumes in One]
Author: George Polya
Publisher:
Total Pages: 498
Release: 2014-01
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 9781614275572

2014 Reprint of 1954 American Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. This two volume classic comprises two titles: "Patterns of Plausible Inference" and "Induction and Analogy in Mathematics." This is a guide to the practical art of plausible reasoning, particularly in mathematics, but also in every field of human activity. Using mathematics as the example par excellence, Polya shows how even the most rigorous deductive discipline is heavily dependent on techniques of guessing, inductive reasoning, and reasoning by analogy. In solving a problem, the answer must be guessed at before a proof can be given, and guesses are usually made from a knowledge of facts, experience, and hunches. The truly creative mathematician must be a good guesser first and a good prover afterward; many important theorems have been guessed but no proved until much later. In the same way, solutions to problems can be guessed, and a god guesser is much more likely to find a correct solution. This work might have been called "How to Become a Good Guesser."-From the Dust Jacket.

Doing Mathematics

Doing Mathematics
Author: Steven Galovich
Publisher: Cengage Learning
Total Pages: 344
Release: 2007
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN:

Prepare for success in mathematics with DOING MATHEMATICS: AN INTRODUCTION TO PROOFS AND PROBLEM SOLVING! By discussing proof techniques, problem solving methods, and the understanding of mathematical ideas, this mathematics text gives you a solid foundation from which to build while providing you with the tools you need to succeed. Numerous examples, problem solving methods, and explanations make exam preparation easy.

How to Prove It

How to Prove It
Author: Daniel J. Velleman
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 401
Release: 2006-01-16
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0521861241

Many students have trouble the first time they take a mathematics course in which proofs play a significant role. This new edition of Velleman's successful text will prepare students to make the transition from solving problems to proving theorems by teaching them the techniques needed to read and write proofs. The book begins with the basic concepts of logic and set theory, to familiarize students with the language of mathematics and how it is interpreted. These concepts are used as the basis for a step-by-step breakdown of the most important techniques used in constructing proofs. The author shows how complex proofs are built up from these smaller steps, using detailed 'scratch work' sections to expose the machinery of proofs about the natural numbers, relations, functions, and infinite sets. To give students the opportunity to construct their own proofs, this new edition contains over 200 new exercises, selected solutions, and an introduction to Proof Designer software. No background beyond standard high school mathematics is assumed. This book will be useful to anyone interested in logic and proofs: computer scientists, philosophers, linguists, and of course mathematicians.

Proofs and Ideas

Proofs and Ideas
Author: B. Sethuraman
Publisher: American Mathematical Society
Total Pages: 334
Release: 2021-12-02
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 1470465140

Proofs and Ideas serves as a gentle introduction to advanced mathematics for students who previously have not had extensive exposure to proofs. It is intended to ease the student's transition from algorithmic mathematics to the world of mathematics that is built around proofs and concepts. The spirit of the book is that the basic tools of abstract mathematics are best developed in context and that creativity and imagination are at the core of mathematics. So, while the book has chapters on statements and sets and functions and induction, the bulk of the book focuses on core mathematical ideas and on developing intuition. Along with chapters on elementary combinatorics and beginning number theory, this book contains introductory chapters on real analysis, group theory, and graph theory that serve as gentle first exposures to their respective areas. The book contains hundreds of exercises, both routine and non-routine. This book has been used for a transition to advanced mathematics courses at California State University, Northridge, as well as for a general education course on mathematical reasoning at Krea University, India.

Introduction · to Mathematical Structures and · Proofs

Introduction · to Mathematical Structures and · Proofs
Author: Larry Gerstein
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 355
Release: 2013-11-21
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1468467085

This is a textbook for a one-term course whose goal is to ease the transition from lower-division calculus courses to upper-division courses in linear and abstract algebra, real and complex analysis, number theory, topology, combinatorics, and so on. Without such a "bridge" course, most upper division instructors feel the need to start their courses with the rudiments of logic, set theory, equivalence relations, and other basic mathematical raw materials before getting on with the subject at hand. Students who are new to higher mathematics are often startled to discover that mathematics is a subject of ideas, and not just formulaic rituals, and that they are now expected to understand and create mathematical proofs. Mastery of an assortment of technical tricks may have carried the students through calculus, but it is no longer a guarantee of academic success. Students need experience in working with abstract ideas at a nontrivial level if they are to achieve the sophisticated blend of knowledge, disci pline, and creativity that we call "mathematical maturity. " I don't believe that "theorem-proving" can be taught any more than "question-answering" can be taught. Nevertheless, I have found that it is possible to guide stu dents gently into the process of mathematical proof in such a way that they become comfortable with the experience and begin asking them selves questions that will lead them in the right direction.