A Concise Introduction to Pure Mathematics

Has challenging exercises and introduces a variety of topics to get one interesting in proof based mathematics while also introducing the student to different methods of proof. Used this as the textbook for my class and it was enjoyable.

This book is indeed a concise introduction to a bunch of important topics in mathematics. As a post-grad that studied computer science and is now studying in a mathematics-based department, I needed to catch up on even the most basic of notation that I did not require to get me through my undergraduate. This book moves at a nice pace, flows naturally but most importantly, doesn't skip the explanation of notation and formulation of proofs.Sometimes when you haven't studied maths, the hardest part of approaching a new topic is the lack of understanding of some of the basic notation used to represent the concepts and ideas. Thankfully, this book discusses them as they appear and continues to encourage you to ask questions about the topics, rather than just bury you with proofs. The chapters are pretty self-contained also, and the author suggests some good groupings of chapters for teaching/self-learning of certain subjects. Definitely recommended for self-study or an introductory course on (discrete) mathematics.

I ordered from a third party and it took forever to get to me so if you can get it from amazon directly do that. The binding is awful and pages are falling out after just a few months of moderate use. Ink is smeared across the pages like a bad photocopy. The content isn’t the best although it does explain surprisingly well. The author is lazy about the solutions so don’t expect much from the answer key. I am not a fan of the weird notation that isn’t commonly used in the US or anywhere else except for the UK probably. When it says it’s concise it really means it. If you’re expecting a high quality text you will be disappointed.

Clear exposition for the nine professional.

My BA in math dates from 1978 and I have four grandsons who are collectively beginning to study algebra, entering university, or launching into demanding studies and work. Thinking about what I might do for the boys I realised I couldn't remember, for example, how to integrate by partial fractions. This book has been invaluable in dusting off old skills and bringing to mind old knowledge. Heartily recommended.