Visual Group Theory | Hacker News Reader

Visual Group Theory

web.bentley.edu

90 pointsrfreytag14 comments

This book was far too wordy for me. I found a better compromise by reading two these books in parallel:

* Burns' "Groups: A Path to Geometry": http://www.amazon.com/Groups-Geometry-R-P-Burn/dp/0521347939

This was the main read. It's approach is to take the reader through group theory by presenting it as a series of problems. Discussion is limited mainly to historical notes.

* Pinter's "A Book on Abstract Algebra": http://www.amazon.com/Book-Abstract-Algebra-Second-Mathemati...

While going through Burns' book, if I needed more of a discussion on a certain topic, then Pinter's book always felt like it comfortably quenched my desire. Here is someone's discussion on why Pinter helped (along with a proposed litmus test for group theory texts): http://math.stackexchange.com/questions/1469294/recommendati...

Thanks for both references. It's been a while since I studied algebra in college and I'm hoping to get back into it and solidify my understanding. What do you think of Artin's Algebra? http://www.amazon.com/Algebra-2nd-Michael-Artin/dp/013241377...

Artin's Book would provide a great reference text for a refresh but it covers a lot of areas, and you sometimes lack the motivation to study the area without seeing it from a book devoted to it or from seeing it occur naturally. I have not used the book for a couple of years but looking back I would recommend combining it with a book on linear algebra and a book on elementary/ algebraic number theory.

If you are comparing it to Pinter or burns - Artin is a lot harder.

Sorry, I can't comment on that book as I haven't read it!

If you are going from Burns/ Pinter to Artin you might have a hard time - I would recommend looking into books on Linear algebra, group theory ( more advanced than Pinter), Galios Theory, elementary/ Algebraic number theory or if you have the background Algebraic geometry/ topology.

Then when going through these refer back to Artin if there is something you do not understand or want to see the Algebra from a different perspective.

It is often hard to motivate Alegbra without having seen it occur naturally elsewhere. All this being Artin is a great book. Good luck.

there are these 'expository papers' by keith-conrad as well, which are pretty good. they are available here : http://www.math.uconn.edu/~kconrad/blurbs/

I'd kind of like to buy this just for the visuals. I'm happily competent with group theory already, but wouldn't mind a neat coffee table book!

This is a very good book. It is true that one does not need more than "a high school mathematics background", in the sense that you don't need to know advanced technical stuff. But to really appreciate it one needs some maturity and sophistication that a standard high school curriculum is unlikely to provide.

I studied abstract algebra without much difficulty and I never even took calculus. I just had to wrap my mind around how to think about proofs ( not much different than thought process of figuring out the code you are writing actually works and is consistent).

This the best math book ever( I dislike math) : http://www.amazon.com/Book-Abstract-Algebra-Second-Mathemati...

This has been on my wish list for some time - seems time to buy it.

Looks great, but $75? Really? Why are these books so expensive? And no (cheaper) kindle edition?

$51 on amazon

because not millions of 13 year olds will read them

I found the book on scribd:

https://www.scribd.com/doc/116393104/Visual-Group-Theory

I don't really know that website, I just googled, and I checked that I can access all pages and without having to login or subscribe. "Download" asks for a login, but I only wanted to check the book out.

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