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Possible Duplicate:
Introductory Group theory textbook

I am an Indian student currently in the eleventh grade.I haven't yet learned calculus(I am learning it ) but I would also like to study a bit of Abstract Algebra by myself.Here is the context : What I plan to do is to take the theorems for a particular chapter and then try to prove them myself.If I am unable to do so after trying for a long time or I have managed to prove them rigorously,only after that will I refer to the text.So, can someone please tell the name of a well-structured book which isn't quite haphazard with good,tough problems.

Thank you.

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    One of the standard intro texts to Abstract Algebra is Dummit and Foote.2011-07-31
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    I added the reference-request tag.2011-07-31

4 Answers 4

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If you want tough problems then I recommend

  • Topics in Algebra by I.N.Herstein. I don't recommend this book for reading.

For reading I would recommend:

  • Contemporary abstract algebra by Joe Gallian.
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    One question! I found a book by one Michael Artin.What are your comments on that book? Thank you.2011-07-31
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    @Sabyasachi Artin's book is excellent. It is one of the slightly harder intro texts into algebra, but if you feel confident, you should give it a go. If it proves too hard, don't be discouraged and try one of the other texts people have suggested.2011-07-31
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    If Artin is hard,I am going to do that.Thanks Mr.Bartel.2011-07-31
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    @Alex B. Speaking about hard if Artin's algebra is hard then what about Hernstein's?2011-07-31
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    @Alex I do not agree that Artin's book is "hard"; I have not read it in detail but it seems to have a conversational style which makes the text user-friendly.2011-08-02
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    @Chandru Could you please elaborate as to why you do not recommend Herstein's book for reading? I agree that Herstein's book has a nice selection of problems.2011-08-02
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    @Amitesh: Dear Amitesh, I feel that Herstein does not introduce the concept of group actions nicely. Although, I first learnt Algebra from Herstein's book, I feel that I should have learnt it fraleigh/Gallian and then should have come to Herstein's.2011-08-04
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Fraleigh's text might suit you.

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I agree that Dummit and Foote is an awesome reference and a good book to learn, but since you are trying to learn on your own, Dummit and Foote might not give you enough examples and intuition as a course in Abstract Algebra would give you (i.e. with a teacher). I have an excellent reference which I used to learn Group Theory on my own too, it is my absolute favorite for learning group theory in solo. The reason why I like it is because they give you TONS of examples and intuition on group theory before going on the abstract theorems ; the main use of groups is because they are so broadly used in mathematics, thus intuition is very important. Looking at a problem in an abstract way might seem deadly, but seeing it as a generalization of a geometric or number-theoretic intuition might make it really easier, so getting examples from multiple branches of mathematics really helps. It is generally very user-friendly, so it's perfect for starters. A must-read.

The name is Groups and Symmetry, written by M.A. Armstrong. If you can't find the book online or at your library, I can send you a copy of the pdf's I have so that you can read it.

Hope that helps,

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    Just message me or comment if you want me to send you those pdfs. The book has a yellow cover with 12 black octogons with squares inscribed in them. Can't miss it. =)2011-07-31
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This is likely not going to be a popular suggestion, since it's relatively unknown, but I think the perfect book for you is Allan Clark's Elements of Abstract Algebra.

It's a unique book that covers the basics of group theory, ring theory, and even a tiny bit of Galois Theory, but it does it almost entirely through problems. Every chapter begins with a short section defining some terms and giving a few basic proofs, and then it leads the reader through the rest of the exposition in a series of problems, some difficult, some not. The end result is that if you actually do all the problems, you've written the book yourself. It's impossible not to be comfortable with basic abstract algebra if you take this book seriously.

It's also probably the cheapest book on this entire list :)

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    I'll actually consider reading this one when I'll attack ring theory seriously. Thanks man2011-08-01