Questions tagged [books]
Questions in which books play a key-role, such as questions on antique books, e-books, difference between various editions of a book, etc. For questions asking for recommendations of books on some subject the tag textbook-recommendation is often more suitable.
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Best algebraic geometry textbook? (other than Hartshorne)
I think (almost) everyone agrees that Hartshorne's Algebraic Geometry is still the best.
Then what might be the 2nd best?
It can be a book, preprint, online lecture note, webpage, etc.
One suggestion ...
91
votes
70
answers
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Old books still used
It's a commonplace to state that while other sciences (like biology) may always need the newest books, we mathematicians also use to use older books. While this is a qualitative remark, I would like ...
47
votes
7
answers
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Classification of (compact) Lie groups
I would like to study/understand the (complete) classification of compact lie groups. I know there are a lot of books on this subject, but I'd like to hear what's the best route I can follow (in your ...
20
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11
answers
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What to do with antique math books?
My grandfather had a PhD in math. When he died, he left a lot of math textbooks, which I took. These include things like Van der Waerden's 2-volume algebra set from the 1970s,
"Studies in Global ...
317
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22
answers
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Why do so many textbooks have so much technical detail and so little enlightenment? [closed]
I think/hope this is okay for MO.
I often find that textbooks provide very little in the way of motivation or context. As a simple example, consider group theory. Every textbook I have seen that ...
4
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2
answers
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Reference request: Oldest linear algebra books with exercises?
Inspired by the recent success of my "soft question" here, I also have to ask, what are some of the oldest linear algebra books out there with exercises? I'm fine with or without solutions, either way....
192
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47
answers
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Books you would like to read (if somebody would just write them…)
I think that the title is self-explanatory but I'm thinking about mathematical subjects that have not received a full treatment in book form or if they have, they could benefit from a different ...
154
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54
answers
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Old books you would like to have reprinted with high-quality typesetting
There are some questions on mathoverflow such as
What out-of-print books would you like to see re-printed?
Old books still used
with answers that tell us things such as:
Mathematicians prefer to use ...
80
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64
answers
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Books you would like to see translated into English
I have recently been told of a proposal to produce an English translation
of Landau's Handbuch der Lehre von der Verteilung der Primzahlen, and
this prompts me to ask a more general question:
...
68
votes
30
answers
36k
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A book you would like to write
Writing a book from the beginning to the end is (so I heard) a very hard process. Planning a book is easier. This question is dual in a sense to the question "Books you would like to read (if somebody ...
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26
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Text for an introductory Real Analysis course.
Any suggestions on a good text to use for teaching an introductory Real Analysis course? Specifically what have you found to be useful about the approach taken in specific texts?
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3
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Which tools can identify scholarly papers that use the same types of equations?
Many types of equations are being used in multiple contexts, so a search for specific formulas might be one way to identify scholarly papers that are conceptually related.
Is any website or tool ...
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13
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5
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Reference request: Oldest calculus, real analysis books with exercises?
Per the title, what are some of the oldest calculus, real analysis books out there with exercises? Maybe there are some hidden gems from before the 20th century out there.
Edit. Unsolved exercises ...
193
votes
43
answers
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Are there other nice math books close to the style of Tristan Needham?
I've been very positively impressed by Tristan Needham's book "Visual Complex Analysis", a very original and atypical mathematics book which is more oriented to helping intuition and insight than to ...
136
votes
15
answers
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Statistics for mathematicians
I'm looking for an overview of statistics suitable for the mathematically mature reader: someone familiar with measure theoretic probability at say Billingsley level, but almost completely ignorant of ...
62
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25
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Linear Algebra Texts?
Can anyone suggest a relatively gentle linear algebra text that integrates vector spaces and matrix algebra right from the start? I've found in the past that students react in very negative ways to ...
58
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34
answers
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Are there any books that take a 'theorems as problems' approach?
Are there any books that present theorems as problems? To be more specific, a book on elementary group theory might have written: "Theorem: Each group has exactly one identity" and then show a proof ...
45
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What out-of-print books would you like to see re-printed?
It's excellent news that the LMS are to re-publish Cassels & Fröhlich. There are many other excellent mathematics books which are just about impossible (or at least very expensive) to get hold of,...
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15
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undergraduate logic textbook
I am going to teach the standard undergraduate Logic course for math and engineering majors. What are good (bad) text-books and why. I have not taught that course for a while and wonder if there are ...
6
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0
answers
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Are French, original editions of Grothendieck's EGA&SGA out of sales?
I have been desperately searching for the hardcopies of Grothendieck's EGA and SGA trilogy, but I could not find available sales except for some used books at Amazon with ridiculously expensive prices....
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148
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26
answers
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Good "casual" advanced math books
I'm curious if there are any good math books out there that take a "casual approach" to higher level topics. I'm very interested in advanced math, but have lost the time as of late to study textbooks ...
147
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43
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Where does a math person go to learn quantum mechanics?
My undergraduate advisor said something very interesting to me the other day; it was something like "not knowing quantum mechanics is like never having heard a symphony." I've been meaning to learn ...
90
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8
answers
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Books on music theory intended for mathematicians
Some time ago I attended a colloquium given by Princeton music theorist Dmitri Tymoczko, where he gave a fascinating talk on the connection between music composition and certain geometric objects (as ...
86
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61
answers
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Favorite popular math book [closed]
Christmas is almost here, so imagine you want to buy a good popular math book for your aunt (or whoever you want). Which book would you buy or recommend?
It would be nice if you could answer in the ...
63
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19
answers
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Suggestions for a good Measure Theory book
I have taken analysis and have looked at different measures, but I am currently looking at realizing a certain problem in a different light and feel that I need a better background in various measures ...
57
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16
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What are examples of books which teach the practice of mathematics?
One may classify the types of mathematics books written for students into two groups: books which merely teach mathematics (i.e., they present theorems and proofs, ready-made, as it were) and those ...
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17
answers
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Computer science for mathematicians
This is a big-list community question, so I'm sorry in advance if it is deemed too soft but I haven't seen anything similar yet.
I've seen computer scientists post questions looking to learn things ...
50
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13
answers
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Erratum for Cassels-Froehlich
Edit 25 April 2010: I have a physical copy of the new printing of the book. I can only assume the LMS is now selling it (but have no details).
IMPORTANT EDIT: THE RESULTS ARE IN! Ok, the deadline has ...
42
votes
6
answers
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What are good articles/books on the psychology of mathematical research?
I am thinking about advanced texts similar to Polya's 'How to solve it?'. Quite a few good articles of such a kind are published under Philosophy of Mathematics, but that dwells on a very different ...
41
votes
7
answers
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Undergraduate roadmap to algebraic geometry?
Hello,
I'm sorry if this question isn't posted correctly. I hope that it is (since other questions regarding roadmaps have been allowed). Now to my question:
From what I've heard from professors and ...
31
votes
1
answer
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Is an English translation of Grothendieck's EGA available?
I have always wondered whether there is an English translation of Grothendieck's EGA (Elements de Geometrie Algebrique) available. Does anyone know whether there is and if so where I can find it? If ...
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3
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Is “problem solving” a subject to be taught?
I am witnessing a new curriculum change in my country (Iran). It includes the change of all the mathematics textbooks at all grades. The peoples involved has sent me the textbook for seven graders (13 ...
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29
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Alternative undergraduate analysis texts
Other than the standard baby Rudin, Spivak, and Stein-Shakarchi, are there other alternative and comprehensive analysis texts at the undergraduate level? For example something that has general results ...
25
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8
answers
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What is the point of reading classics over modern treatments?
There seems to be a good number of mathematicians who recommend reading "classic" works in a given field (where the term "classic" is in the sense defined below). Indeed, there are ...
18
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17
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Which book would you like to see "texified"? [closed]
Let's see if we could use MO to put some pressure on certain publishers...
Although it is wonderful that it has been put
online, I think it would make an even greater read if "Hodge Cycles, Motives ...
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4
answers
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Erratum for Fulton and Harris
I am currently using Fulton and Harris for a course on representation theory, and I have noticed that there are a few errors throughout the book. A search on google with the keywords "Errata for ...
16
votes
4
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Number theory textbook with an algebraic perspective
Most of the number theory textbooks I've dealt with take a very classical approach to the subject. I'm looking for a textbook that's something like a first course in number theory for people who have ...
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11
answers
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Math History books
I'm teaching a course over the summer (it's a sort of make-your-own course for non-majors) and I'm planning on organizing it as a math history course, hitting on major threads through about 1900, and ...
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Can I find Fermat's complete works anywhere?
I admire the mathematician very much and want to look at his writings. Is there anywhere in book or web form that has a collection of his writings?
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7
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Looking for book with good general overview of math and its various branches
Is there something in the order of a Goedel Escher Bach type book? If you've read it you know what I mean. Something compelling that you have to read a couple of times in order to start to get it, but ...
5
votes
7
answers
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Ask for recommendations for textbook on mathematical logic
I studied mathematical logic using a book not written in English. I would now like to study it again using a textbook in English. But I hope I can read a text that is similar to the one I used before, ...
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9
answers
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Functions of one complex variable: geometric theory
Can someone recommend a good textbook on functions of one complex variable which have good chapters on geometric theory, in English?
When I studied complex analysis, I used two
textbooks:
An ...
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4
votes
3
answers
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Finite, abelian, yet "fugitive" orthogonal subgroups
Update July 29, 2013.
I have still not found a good textbook for this topic, if you point one to me I will be grateful :) I have accepted BS's answer anyway, since their explanation was useful to me ...
3
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2
answers
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Popular books written by great mathematicians [closed]
I read:
H. Poincare. Value of science
F. Klein. Development of Mathematics in the 19th Century
J.E. Littlewood. A Mathematicians Miscellany
G.H. Hardy. A Mathematician’s Apology
R. Courant, H....
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is there an English translation of the book by Guy Barles?
is there an English translation of the book by Guy Barles, "Solutions de viscosite des equations de Hamiltion-Jacobi"? Springer-Verlag
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