Introduction to Proofs and Proof Strategies

Shay Fuchs is Associate Professor (Teaching Stream) in the Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences at the University of Toronto, Mississauga, Canada, and a Mathematical Association of America member. He has been a mathematics educator for more than twenty-five years. His course based on this text has been taken by more than 1500 students and used by dozens of his colleagues in the past three years.

• Contents; Preface; Part I. Core Material; 1. Numbers, Quadratics and Inequalities; 2. Sets, Functions and the Field Axioms; 3. Informal Logic and Proof Strategies; 4. Mathematical Induction; 5. Bijections and Cardinality; 6. Integers and Divisibility; 7. Relations; Part II. Additional Topics; 8. Elementary Combinatorics; 9. Preview of Real Analysis – Limits and Continuity; 10. Complex Numbers; 11. Preview of Linear Algebra; Notes; References; Index.

'Every student in the sciences should be exposed to the basic language of modern mathematics, and standard courses such as calculus or linear algebra do not play this role. The ideal textbook for such a course should not attempt to be encyclopedic and should not assume special prerequisites. It should cover a carefully chosen selection of topics efficiently, engagingly, thoroughly, without being overbearing. Fuchs' text fits this description admirably. The level is right, the math is rock solid, the writing is very pleasant. The book talks to the reader, without ever sounding patronizing. A vast selection of problems, many including solutions, will be splendidly helpful both in a classroom setting and for self-study.' Paolo Aluffi, Florida State University