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Basic Notions of Algebra

Part of the book series: Encyclopaedia of Mathematical Sciences (EMS, volume 11)

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Table of contents (22 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages I-5
  2. What is Algebra?

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 6-11
  3. Fields

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 11-17
  4. Commutative Rings

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 17-23
  5. Homomorphisms and Ideals

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 24-33
  6. Modules

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 33-40
  7. Algebraic Aspects of Dimension

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 41-50
  8. The Algebraic View of Infinitesimal Notions

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 50-61
  9. Noncommutative Rings

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 61-74
  10. Modules over Noncommutative Rings

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 74-79
  11. Semisimple Modules and Rings

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 79-90
  12. Division Algebras of Finite Rank

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 90-96
  13. The Notion of a Group

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 96-108
  14. Examples of Groups: Finite Groups

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 108-124
  15. Examples of Groups: Infinite Discrete Groups

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 124-140
  16. Examples of Groups: Lie Groups and Algebraic Groups

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 140-151
  17. General Results of Group Theory

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 151-160
  18. Group Representations

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 160-177
  19. Some Applications of Groups

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 177-188
  20. Lie Algebras and Nonassociative Algebra

    • Igor R. Shafarevich
    Pages 188-201

About this book

ยง22. K-theory 230 A. Topological X-theory 230 Vector bundles and the functor Vec(X). Periodicity and the functors KJX). K(X) and t the infinite-dimensional linear group. The symbol of an elliptic differential operator. The index theorem. B. Algebraic K-theory 234 The group of classes of projective modules. K , K and K of a ring. K of a field and o l n 2 its relations with the Brauer group. K-theory and arithmetic. Comments on the Literature 239 References 244 Index of Names 249 Subject Index 251 Preface This book aims to present a general survey of algebra, of its basic notions and main branches. Now what language should we choose for this? In reply to the question 'What does mathematics study?', it is hardly acceptable to answer 'structures' or 'sets with specified relations'; for among the myriad conceivable structures or sets with specified relations, only a very small discrete subset is of real interest to mathematicians, and the whole point of the question is to understand the special value of this infinitesimal fraction dotted among the amorphous masses. In the same way, the meaning of a mathematical notion is by no means confined to its formal definition; in fact, it may be rather better expressed by a (generally fairly small) sample of the basic examples, which serve the mathematician as the motivation and the substantive definition, and at the same time as the real meaning of the notion.

Reviews

From the reviews:

"This is one of the few mathematical books, the reviewer has read from cover to cover ... The main merit is that nearly on every page you will find some unexpected insights..." (Zentralblatt fรผr Mathematik und Ihre Grenzgebiete, 1991)

"...which I read like a novel and undoubtedly will become a classic. ... A merit of the book under review is that it contains several important articles from journals which are not all so easily accessible. ... Furthermore, at the end of the book, there are some Notes by the author which are indispensible for the necessary historical background information. ... This valuable book should be on the shelf of every algebraist and algebraic geometer." (Nieuw Archief voor Wiskunde, 1992)

"... There are few proofs in full, but there is an exhilarating combination of sureness of foot and lightness of touch in the exposition ... which transports the reader effortlessly across the whole spectrum of algebra.... The challenge to Ezekiel, "Can these bones live?" is, all too often, the reaction of students when introduced to the bare bones of the concepts and constructs of modern algebra. Shafarevich's book - which reads as comfortably as an extended essay - breathes life into the skeleton and will be of interest to many classes of readers..." (The Mathematical Gazette, 1991)

"... According to the preface, the book is addressed to "students of mathematics in the first years of an undergraduate course, or theoretical physicists or mathematicians from outside algebra wanting to get an impression of the spirit of algebra and its place in mathematics." I think that this promise is fully justified. The beginner, the experts and also the interested scientist who had contact with algebraic notions - all will read this exceptional book with great pleasure and benefit." (Zeitschrift fรผr Kristallographie, 1991)

"This is a truly wonderful book, one that anyone teaching algebra should read and which should be pointed out to talented students, particularly those who want to know a little more about what and why abstract algebra is. This book is volume 1 in the Algebra section of the Springer Encyclopedia of Mathematical Sciences โ€ฆ . The examples are particularly well chosen, simple enough to understandโ€ฆ . one that will enrich your understanding of algebra and deepen your knowledge of mathematics as a whole." (Fernando Q. Gouvรชa, MathDL, March, 2007)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Steklov Mathematical Institute, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia

    Igor R. Shafarevich

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Basic Notions of Algebra

  • Authors: Igor R. Shafarevich

  • Series Title: Encyclopaedia of Mathematical Sciences

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/b137643

  • Publisher: Springer Berlin, Heidelberg

  • eBook Packages: Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematics and Statistics (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-540-25177-4Published: 13 April 2005

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-642-42516-5Published: 20 November 2014

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-540-26474-3Published: 15 August 2005

  • Series ISSN: 0938-0396

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: IV, 260

  • Additional Information: 1st printing of this edition published as "Algebra I" by Kostrikin,A., Shafarevich, I.R.(Eds.), Springer 1990.. Russian edition published by VINITI, Moscow 1986

  • Topics: Topological Groups, Lie Groups, K-Theory

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access