No label defined (Q4389331)

This book provides a very first introduction to the algebra and arithmetic of commutative rings and fields. Based on a course given by the first author at the University of Bristol, the text is suitable for undergraduate students from the second level on. Being far from aiming to give an introduction to ``higher'' commutative algebra, which would include some basic material on the theory of ideals and modules over commutative rings, the authors methodically focus on developing, at a moderate and pleasant pace, the fundamental properties of various classes of abstract commutative rings and fields, with a strong emphasis on worked examples and arithmetic applications. The fifteen chapters, each of which is kept concise enough to be covered in three or four one-hour lectures, discuss the following very basic topics: 1. Rings, 2. Euclidean rings, 3. Greatest common divisors, 4. The four-squares theorem in elementary number theory, 5. Fields and polynomials, 6. Unique factorization domains, 7. Fields of quotients of integral domains, 8. Factorization of polynomials, 9. Fields and field extensions, 10. Finite cyclic groups and finite fields, 11. Algebraic numbers, 12. Ruler-and-compass constructions, 13. Ring homomorphisms, ideals, and factor rings, 14. Principal ideal domains and a method for constructing fields, 15. Galois fields. These topies, which rather belong to the primary components of classical higher algebra, are well chosen and carefully arranged, with a masterly empathy for beginners in ring theory. The elegant style of writing which, however, always gives high priority to the comprehension of the unexperienced reader, impressively brings about the fascination of algebra, and the skilful combination of the abstract theory with applications to elementary number theory and classical Greek geometry convincingly illustrates the practical utility of (even basic) commutative ring theory. Important theorems appear, in a well-dosed manner, at regular intervals, without overstraining the undergraduate beginner in the field. Every chapter comes with a bunch of exercises, with solutions given to a selected number of them at the end of the book. Altogether, this introductory text is an excellent primer of, and a delightful invitation to, the theory of commutative rings for undergraduate students. In a certain sense, it may be considered as a very first introduction to the ideas of algebraic number theory, too.