Elementary Analysis through Examples and Exercises (Texts in the Mathematical Sciences (closed)): 10 - Tapa blanda

It is hard to imagine that another elementary analysis book would contain ma­ terial that in some vision could qualify as being new and needed for a discipline already abundantly endowed with literature. However, to understand analysis, be­ ginning with the undergraduate calculus student through the sophisticated math­ ematically maturing graduate student, the need for examples and exercises seems to be a constant ingredient to foster deeper mathematical understanding. To a talented mathematical student, many elementary concepts seem clear on their first encounter. However, it is the belief of the authors, this understanding can be deepened with a guided set of exercises leading from the so called "elementary" to the somewhat more "advanced" form. Insight is instilled into the material which can be drawn upon and implemented in later development. The first year graduate student attempting to enter into a research environment begins to search for some original unsolved area within the mathematical literature. It is hard for the student to imagine that in many circumstances the advanced mathematical formulations of sophisticated problems require attacks that draw upon, what might be termed elementary techniques. However, if a student has been guided through a serious repertoire of examples and exercises, he/she should certainly see connections whenever they are encountered.

This volume on mathematical analysis offers a comprehensive set of both traditional and new examples and exercises with detailed solutions. It includes many topics important in current research that are not found in other basic analysis books.
It begins with a comparison of real numbers viewed as a totally ordered field or, alternatively, constructed using the Dedekind cut method. Properties surrounding real numbers are explored and many interesting relationships are proven using mathematical induction. Functions are then developed with special emphasis on topics such as asymptotics, n-levels of composition and periodicity of certain functions. Sequences and series for both the discrete and continuous case are concurrently developed showing contrast wherever possible. The order of growth for sequences diverging to infinity is incorporated with its counterpart given for functions. The usual properties of functions, together with their limit theory including the differential calculus are compared carefully with examples illustrating their fundamental properties. The graphs of these functions are then closely studied giving as much detail as possible for a wide variety of functions.
Audience: Undergraduate and graduate students in all areas of mathematical science and its applications.