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Read more about Mathematical Reasoning: Writing and Proof, Version 2.1

Mathematical Reasoning: Writing and Proof, Version 2.1

(5 reviews)

Ted Sundstrom, Grand Valley State University

Copyright Year: 2014

ISBN 13: 9781492103851

Publisher: Grand Valley State University

Language: English

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Conditions of Use

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CC BY-NC-SA

Reviews

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Reviewed by Thao Tran, Assistant Teaching Professor, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education on 6/30/21

This textbook is an excellent introduction to mathematical proofs. It helps students learn how to read, understand, and write proofs. Various proof methods are covered, including direct proof, proof by contradiction, and mathematical induction. ... read more

Reviewed by David Steinberg, Senior Instructor, University of Oregon on 1/15/21

The textbook does a good job of not promising more than it can deliver, nor biting off more than it can chew. The material that it presents is thoroughly and carefully articulated, and easy to navigate with and the table of contents and index. read more

Reviewed by Jason Hardin, Assistant Professor, Worcester State University on 6/2/20

The textbook thoroughly covers all material typically included in a one-semester introduction to mathematical proof course for mathematics majors. One of the main objectives of the text is to help students learn to think and reason mathematically,... read more

Reviewed by Matt DeLong, Professor of Mathematics, Marian University on 4/11/19

An introduction to proofs, or "bridge" course, provides a chicken-and-egg dilemma. Do you first lay the groundwork for logic, proofs, and writing and then subsequently use these for writing proofs in different mathematical contexts? Or, do you... read more

Reviewed by Kenneth Ward, Professorial Lecturer, Mathematics & Statistics, American University on 2/1/18

This text addresses most major components of proof methods, with suitable exploration exercises for the mathematical novice/undergraduate major which do not overly burden the reader with prerequisite knowledge. read more

Table of Contents

  • 1 Introduction to Writing Proofs in Mathematics
  • 2 Logical Reasoning
  • 3 Constructing and Writing Proofs in Mathematics
  • 4 Mathematical Induction
  • 5 Set Theory
  • 6 Functions
  • 7 Equivalence Relations
  • 8 Topics in Number Theory
  • 9 Finite and Infinite Sets
  • A Guidelines for Writing Mathematical Proofs
  • B Answers for the Progress Checks
  • C Answers and Hints for Selected Exercises
  • D List of Symbols
  • Index

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About the Book

Mathematical Reasoning: Writing and Proofis designed to be a text for the ?rst course in the college mathematics curriculum that introduces students to the processes of constructing and writing proofs and focuses on the formal development of mathematics. The primary goals of the text are to help students:

  • Develop logical thinking skills and to develop the ability to think more abstractly in a proof oriented setting.
  • Develop the ability to construct and write mathematical proofs using standard methods of mathematical proof including direct proofs, proof by contradiction, mathematical induction, case analysis, and counterexamples.
  • Develop the ability to read and understand written mathematical proofs.
  • Develop talents for creative thinking and problem solving.
  • Improve their quality of communication in mathematics. This includes improving writing techniques, reading comprehension, and oral communication in mathematics.
  • Better understand the nature of mathematics and its language.

This text also provides students with material that will be needed for their further study of mathematics.

About the Contributors

Author

Ted Sundstrom, Professor of Mathematics, Grand Valley State University. PhD, (Mathematics), University of Massachusetts. Dissertation: Groups of Automorphisms of Simple Rings. 

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