Course Description:
Algebra is the study of algebraic systems, that is, sets of elements endowed
with certain operations. A familiar example is the set of integers with the
operations of addition and multiplication.
Algebra is used in almost every branch of mathematics; indeed, it has
simplified the study of mathematics by indicating connections between seemingly
unrelated topics. In addition the success of the methods of algebra in
unraveling the structure of complicated systems has led to its use in many
fields outside of mathematics such as computer science, coding theory and
physics.
One aim of this course is to help students learn to write clear and concise proofs, read the mathematical literature, and communicate mathematical ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
Lecture: Thursday 7-10, 3006 Vari Hall
Raw scores on problem sets and tests here-
Answers
to sample questions for test 2 here
Answers
to sample questions for test 3 here-
Tutorial: none
Textbook: Abstract Algebra by Fraleigh
The final will be calculated as follows.
Homework 15%
Term Tests (3) 45%
Final 40%
Important information about exams:. There are NO make up exams. Missed tests will count zero, except in extreme cases
such as illness. In such event, the final exam mark will be used for the
missing grade.
The last date to withdraw w/o academic
penalty is Feb 7. Be sure to realistically evaluate your chances of success in
the course before then.
Dates for tests: October 31, January 30
(Note: the second term test has been postponed a week), March?
Homework problems will be listed below
every two weeks.
Week 1 Read chapter 0. Here basic notation is established, and
ideas from set theory are reviewed.
The following problems will not be collected, but will test your
understanding of material used throughout the course. If you have difficulty
with particular exercises, go back and reread the corresponding section.
0.1 18-23;
0.2; 1-5,11,12,16,18, 29,31, 33, 35; 0.3 1,3;
0.4 1-9, 15,17, 23,25,27,29, 35,37,39,47,48.
Problem Set1 Due October 3: Section 1.1 6, 8, 16, 26, 36; Section 1.2 8, 10 16, 26,32
Problem Set 2 Due October 17 :
Section 1.3 8. 10, 12, 26, 30;
Section 1.4 8, 34, 42, 48, 52
Problem set 3(not to hand in) for Oct
24 Section 1.5 13, 17, 21, 23,
29 Section 2.2 1, 5, 7, 11, 313
Sample test questions here 3020_sample1.pdf
Problem set 4 Due Nov 28 Section
2.3 4, 38,39 Section 2.4 6, 14, 16, 22, 37
Section 3.2 6, 24
Problem set 5 Due Jan 23: Section 3.5: 2 (don’t do all parts here, just hand in answers for G1 Gs1,
Gm1, Gd1) Also work though but don’t hand in problems 1, 3), 12; Section 5.1: 16, 18,
37, Section 5.2: 10, 12, sec 6,1: 4, 18, 26
Problem set 6 Due February27
Section 5.3: 4, 14, Section
5.4: 8, Section 5.6:
10, 32
Problem set 7 Due March 13 Section 5.6 : 12, 28, Section 6.2 : 6, 20,
Section 8.1 18
Probelem set-Not to hand in: Section 8.3:
5, 21; Section 8.5: 5, 11; Section 9.1 15