I was just wondering if G. H. Hardy's "A Course of Pure Mathematics" was considered good for learning real analysis. I don't think I've had the best calculus preparation I could have had at a university.
2007-09-12 09:16:01 · 5 answers · asked by Me 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
In that case, you may prefer "Introduction to Real Analysis" by Robert G. Bartle and Donald R. Sherbert. I have the 2nd edition from John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1992.
Not much calculus, but be ready to take in lots of definitions and theorems. (This is true of any book on analysis, as analysis is almost strictly based on the very precise application of very precise definitions)
2007-09-12 09:21:30 · answer #1 · answered by Raymond 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people recommend Rudin's book, but I'm not sure that it is appropriate for somebody who is doing Real Analysis for the first time. The problem is that Rudin pulls his proofs and explanations out of thin air, like a magician, which really is not helpful for representing the big ideas from the subject. I personally would recommend the Analysis book by Kenneth A. Ross for the first-timer. He holds your hand through the concepts and gives some easy explanations and illustrations. Good luck in your mathematical studies!
2016-05-17 23:53:33 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hardy is OK, but a much better introductory treatment is given in Rudins' "Principles of Mathematical Analysis"(McGraw-Hill).
Hardy assumes that you already 'kinda understand' the subject ☺
The big problem is that most lower-division Calculus classes don't really lean hard enough on such things as limits, convergence, and proofs in general.
Doug
2007-09-12 09:23:23 · answer #3 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most of Hardy's writings are very lucid. I know I found Hardy and Wright's book on number theory easy to read. However, his writing is 'freeze-dried'...there's a lot packed in to very few pages. Most modern texts are more 'soup'...more pages but less dense content.
You will find reading the text slow-going but very fufilling.
2007-09-12 09:20:41 · answer #4 · answered by PMP 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since its publication in 1908, this textbook has become a classic work for successive generations of student mathematicians to refer to for the fundamental ideas of differential and integral calculus
2007-09-12 09:19:57 · answer #5 · answered by god knows and sees else Yahoo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋