Abstract Algebra: An Introduction, 3rd Edition

by Thomas W. Hungerford

Abstract Algebra: An Introduction is set apart by its thematic development and organization. The chapters are organized around two themes: arithmetic and congruence. Each theme is developed first for the integers, then for polynomials, and finally for rings and groups. This enables students to see where many abstract concepts come from, why they are important, and how they relate to one another. New to this edition is a "groups first" option that enables those who prefer to cover groups before rings to do so easily.

Genres: Mathematics, Textbooks, Nonfiction, Algebra

595 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

See my critical review of Gallian's algebra book. It all pretty much applies here too, but possibly even more so.

My impression (possibly wrong) is that this book is intended to present abstract algebra to weaker students, or to students at an earlier stage than would normally see this material. Fine. But if, as seems to be the case, the students never see how the material can be applied to an interesting problem, what was the point?

In any case, no one should pay the $187 this book sells for.

[Olof · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thorough book in the sense that almost every proof is rich in detail. It is clear that the book can be read by students with very little background knowledge of how to construct proofs in mathematics. The exercise range from routine questions which test your understanding of definitions and theorems to the quite difficult ones which may take a while to solve.

[William Easton · Rating 3 out of 5]

6.4/10 Perfectly adequate. Too verbose for my taste and a bit too basic, but fine. The decision to make the de facto order be rings -> groups -> fields is bizarre, but the choose-your-own-adventure structure makes up for that I guess.

[Fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're new to this and you need step by step proofs then this book is perfect.

[Mason Doyle]

Taught this in my Introduction to Abstract Algebra course. It was okay. Not a fan of how he starts with rings and then goes to groups. I had to change that order in my teaching, and then consequently had to change how he introduced groups. The example problems were very good and the proofs were very detailed. Not perfect, but good.