Discovering Group Theory

There are numerous textbooks designed to help students transition into more in-depth mathematics comprehension other than calculating and applying algorithms. These transitional works are typically the first time students are required to prove a mathematical statement. Many textbooks designed for this use sets, relations, functions, and some elementary number theory as platforms. In this text, Barnard (King's College London, UK) and Neill, an experienced mathematician, use group theory as the content for transitioning to proof writing and more advanced mathematics. The most common proof techniques are presented and applied. Since a group is a set, basic set theory is included, along with functions for permutation groups and isomorphisms. The text also presents number theory and applies it to group theory. The authors provide detailed solutions to all the exercises in their book, as well as excellent explanations of their thought process related to the presented proofs. The text culminates with the first isomorphism theorem; as a result, undergraduate majors will need more abstract algebra than is offered in this work. However, this text offers students a superb introduction to both proof writing and group theory.

--J. T. Zerger, Catawba College, Choice magazine 2016

"These days group theory is an essential part of many university courses in physics as well as mathematics. This book now goes to the top of my list of recommendations for students who want to encounter groups before starting such courses, and it will also prove a useful companion in the early stages at university."

--Owen Toller, St Paul’s School, London