Does anybody know of a good book in real analysis for self study for a beginner? What about Analysis 1 by Terence Tao?
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
5
-
7$\begingroup$ I think, Rudin's "Principles of Mathematical Analysis" is very nice. I didn't read Tao's book, though. $\endgroup$– SBFAug 29, 2012 at 7:45
-
6$\begingroup$ See here, here, and here. $\endgroup$– Michael GreineckerAug 29, 2012 at 7:46
-
$\begingroup$ I like Muresan's book very much. It is heavily based on Walter Rudin's texts, but it contains many interesting results. books.google.it/books/about/… $\endgroup$– SiminoreAug 29, 2012 at 7:52
-
$\begingroup$ reference-request should not be used as a standalone tag; see tag-wiki and meta. $\endgroup$– Martin SleziakAug 29, 2012 at 10:20
-
2$\begingroup$ Rudin (I have taught from it myself) is very terse. It is therefore best used with an instructor, rather than for self-instruction. $\endgroup$– GEdgarAug 29, 2012 at 20:39
Add a comment
|
7 Answers
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
1
Having had my first course in real analysis taught from Tao's Analysis I, I can honestly say that, for a beginner, Tao's book is a great resource. Tao start from the absolute beginning, setting up the Peano postulates and then constructing $\mathbb{N},\mathbb{Z},\mathbb{Q}$ and $\mathbb{R}$ one by one. From the Peano postulates one has the natural numbers $\mathbb{N}$, the increment operation and mathematical induction. Addition is then defined in terms of repeated incrementation and the various properties of it are derived. $\mathbb{Z}$ is developed as the completion of $\mathbb{N}$ with respect to equations like $5+a=3$ and $n+b=0$, where $n \in \mathbb{N}$, and it's properties are proved, either in the text or as an exercise. $\mathbb{Q}$ is constructed from $\mathbb{Z}$ as it's completion with respect to division and yet again its properties are developed. Tao then introduces sequences and Cauchy sequences and constructs the real numbers as a completion of $\mathbb{Q}$, though this is a bit more conceptual.
Thus, Tao assumes no real previous knowledge of these number systems and their properties. Tao also develops all the necessary set theory along the way. This really helped me later to understand sequences, series, derivates and integrals and their properties, as I had a good feeling for the number systems we were working over because Tao had built all the machinery up step by step.
Overall, a great introduction.
answered Aug 29, 2012 at 9:02
-
5$\begingroup$ +1 I like Tao's books a great deal for exactly this reason:Most programs treat the construction of the real numbers as archaic drudgery best avoided.I think analysts don't realize how important that "getting your hands dirty" construction in developing a deep understanding of the properties of the real numbers and why it CAN'T be otherwise.It also lets students derive and familiarize themselves with basic inequalities in a way an axiomatic approach simply doesn't do. I think it's well worth the spade work to do in class. $\endgroup$ Aug 29, 2012 at 23:14
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
2
You could try 'Understanding Analysis' by Stephen Abbott. Personally I found it to be a fantastic book - in fact, it is one of my favorite mathematical texts, regardless of topic.
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Analysis-Stephen-Abbott/dp/0387950605
-
2$\begingroup$ I was going to recommend this book. This was used in my first analysis class. What is great about it is that Abbott weaves a little bit of a narrative into the presentation of the material. The exposition is great. This all said, the book is rather introductory. $\endgroup$– abnryAug 29, 2012 at 19:06
-
$\begingroup$ I am using this book right now.I have not got far, but I like the treatment. $\endgroup$– user37450Aug 31, 2012 at 14:37
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
0
I am particularly fond of this set of free lecture notes (virtually verbatim) of Fields Medal winner Vaughan Jones's beginning real analysis course. It is his own treatment: beautifully done, self-contained, and very accessible to first-time students. The proofs are elegant and enhance intuitive understanding. It really functions as a complete text.
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
4
You should try "Foundations of Modern Analysis" by J. Dieudonne.
It is a great book written by a great mathematician so you will be learning from true Master.
In his book Dieudonne do not assume any previus knowledge about analysis or even mathematics at all.
You need only some intelectual maturity to read it.
-
4$\begingroup$ In my humble opinion, and I love Dieudonné's Treatise, this might be hard to read, for a beginner. $\endgroup$– SiminoreAug 29, 2012 at 11:52
-
$\begingroup$ @Siminore of course you are right, this book requires much work from the reader. But if someone would like to learn analysis together with some basic topology and functional analysis the first volume of Dieudonne's treatise might be a great way to get fast into (quite) modern analysis. $\endgroup$– GodotAug 29, 2012 at 12:03
-
$\begingroup$ I completely agree about the high quality of Dieudonne's book. Although it was written in 1968 (more or less), it is still an invaluable source for students and also for teachers. $\endgroup$– SiminoreAug 29, 2012 at 12:26
-
$\begingroup$ There is a similar book written by Schwartz(the creator of distribution theory) who was also a member of Bourbaki. $\endgroup$ Aug 29, 2012 at 12:53
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
1
R.G. Bartle: Elements of Real Analysis http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Real-Analysis-Second/dp/047105464X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346422736&sr=1-2&keywords=bartle+real+analysis
V.A. Zorich: Mathematical Analysis I, II http://www.amazon.com/Mathematical-Analysis-II-Universitext-Zorich/dp/3540874534/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346422912&sr=1-1&keywords=zorich+real+analysis
are two good sources of problems . . .
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
Our professor uses A Friendly Introduction To Analysis. I think it reads fairly easy. http://www.amazon.com/Friendly-Introduction-Analysis-Witold-Kosmala/dp/0130457965
answered Aug 29, 2012 at 20:11
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
I see there have been quite a few wonderful suggessions but I would like to add mine. Since I have been there, I think I can help you with your dilemma.
First of all I would suggest to use
1) Rudin's "Mathematical Analysis" . Most of us think that it is a difficult book to start with. I agree. But I believe that the problem lies in our minds. It is accessible. You will need time. You have plenty of it now. Each time you struggle with a section, you work on it, you grow and that's how we learn. Solve all the exercises from it. We all learn by solving problems.
else you can follow "Introduction to Real Analysis" by Bartle and Sherbert"
2) Solve the books "Problems in Mathematical Analysis", VOL-1,VOL-2 and VOL-3. These are great resources to learn from. Keep these with you and breathe with them.
answered Oct 2, 2014 at 14:33