Basic Abstract Algebra

This is a self-contained text on abstract algebra for senior undergraduate and senior graduate students, which gives complete and comprehensive coverage of the topics usually taught at this level. The book is divided into five parts. The first part contains fundamental information such as an informal introduction to sets, number systems, matrices, and determinants. The second part deals with groups. The third part treats rings and modules. The fourth part is concerned with field theory. Much of the material in parts II, III, and IV forms the core syllabus of a course in abstract algebra. The fifth part goes on to treat some additional topics not usually taught at the undergraduate level, such as the Wedderburn-Artin theorem for semisimple artinian rings, Noether-Lasker theorem, the Smith-Normal form over a PID, finitely generated modules over a PID and their applications to rational and Jordan canonical forms and the tensor products of modules. Throughout, complete proofs have been given for all theorems without glossing over significant details or leaving important theorems as exercises. In addition, the book contains many examples fully worked out and a variety of problems for practice and challenge. Solution to the odd-numbered problems are provided at the end of the book to encourage the student in problem solving. This new edition contains an introduction to categories and functors, a new chapter on tensor products and a discussion of the new (1993) approach to the celebrated Noether-Lasker theorem. In addition, there are over 150 new problems and examples. This Book Represents A Complete Course In Abstract Algebra, Providing Instructors With Flexibility In The Selection Of Topics To Be Taught In Individual Classes. All The Topics Presented Are Discussed In A Direct And Detailed Manner. Throughout The Text, Complete Proofs Have Been Given For All Theorems Without Glossing Over Significant Details Or Leaving Important Theorems As Exercises. The Book Contains Many Examples Fully Worked Out And A Variety Of Problems For Practice And Challenge. Solutions To The Odd-numbered Problems Are Provided At The End Of The Book. This New Edition Contains An Introduction To Lattices, A New Chapter On Tensor Products And A Discussion Of The New (1993) Approach To The Celebrated Lasker–noether Theorem. In Addition, There Are Over 100 New Problems And Examples, Particularly Aimed At Relating Abstract Concepts To Concrete Situations. Pt. I. Preliminaries -- Sets And Mappings -- Integers, Real Numbers, And Complex Numbers -- Matrices And Determinants -- Pt. Ii. Groups -- Groups -- Normal Subgroups -- Normal Series -- Permutation Groups -- Structure Theorems Of Groups -- Pt. Iii. Rings And Modules -- Rings -- Ideals And Homomorphisms -- Unique Factorization Domains And Euclidean Domains -- Rings Of Fractions -- Integers -- Modules And Vector Spaces -- Pt. Iv. Field Theory -- Algebraic Extensions Of Fields -- Normal And Separable Extensions -- Galois Theory -- Applications Of Galios Theory To Classical Problems -- Pt. V. Additional Topics -- Noetherian And Artinian Modules And Rings -- Smith Normal Form Over A Pid And Rank -- Finitely Generated Modules Over A Pid -- Tensor Products P.b. Bhattacharya, S.k. Jain, S.r. Nagpaul. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 476) And Index. This book will get you there if you believe in it. It has examples with solutions and problems with solutions. The only topic that does not have problems with solutions is categories. For this, I have the Hungerford text, and I am presently in the process of finding a better book for this. Otherwise it is the perfect book for self-study. This book provides a complete abstract algebra course, enabling instructors to select the topics for use in individual classes