Discovering group theory. A transition to advanced mathematics (Q2832009)

Elementary textbooks are seldom reviewed in zbMATH, but this one is rather special. Originally published in the Teach Yourself series, its aims are twofold: to introduce the rudiments of group theory, and to serve as a transition between high school level computational mathematics and abstract mathematical thinking at he early university level.NEWLINENEWLINEThe authors are skilled teachers who understand clearly the difficulties students have in understanding and constructing proofs. Throughout the text there are ``asides'', written in shaded boxes so as to not interrupt the flow of the proofs, which explain what they are doing and why it is necessary.NEWLINENEWLINEApart from group theory up to the first isomorphism theorem, the book covers set theory, divisibility properties of the integers, functions and permutations.NEWLINENEWLINEWhile the book is probably unsuitable as a text for a university unit, it is ideal for self-study or as supplementary reading for a first course in abstract algebra.