Learning to Reason: An Introduction to Logic, Sets, and Relations / Edition 1

by Nancy Rodgers

Overview

Learn how to develop your reasoning skills and how to writewell-reasoned proofs

Learning to Reason shows you how to use the basic elements ofmathematical language to develop highly sophisticated, logicalreasoning skills. You'll get clear, concise, easy-to-followinstructions on the process of writing proofs, including thenecessary reasoning techniques and syntax for constructingwell-written arguments. Through in-depth coverage of logic, sets,and relations, Learning to Reason offers a meaningful, integratedview of modern mathematics, cuts through confusing terms and ideas,and provides a much-needed bridge to advanced work in mathematicsas well as computer science. Original, inspiring, and designed formaximum comprehension, this remarkable book:
* Clearly explains how to write compound sentences in equivalentforms and use them in valid arguments
* Presents simple techniques on how to structure your thinking andwriting to form well-reasoned proofs
* Reinforces these techniques through a survey of sets—thebuilding blocks of mathematics
* Examines the fundamental types of relations, which is "where theaction is" in mathematics
* Provides relevant examples and class-tested exercises designed tomaximize the learning experience
* Includes a mind-building game/exercise space atwww.wiley.com/products/subject/mathematics/

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471371229
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	07/20/2000
Pages:	454
Product dimensions:	7.68(w) x 9.57(h) x 1.07(d)

About the Author

NANCY RODGERS, PhD, is Professor of Mathematics at Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana.

Table of Contents

LOGICAL REASONING.

Symbolic Language.

Two Quantifiers.

Five Logical Operators.

Laws of Logic.

Logic Circuits.

Translations.

WRITING OUR REASONING.

Proofs and Arguments.

Proving Implications.

Writing a Proof.

Working with Quantifiers.

Using Cases.

Proof by Contradiction.

Mathematical Induction.

Axiomatic Systems.

SETS -
THE BUILDING BLOCKS.

Sets and Elements.

Operations on Sets.

Multiple Unions and Intersections.

Cross Product.

Finite Sets.

Infinite Sets.

RELATIONS -
THE ACTION.

Relations.

Equivalence Relations.

Functions.

Order Relations.

Summary.

Appendices.

Bibliography.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A primary strength is its broad attention to ideas from logic, set theory and relations while focusing the key notions of symbolism and writing proofs." (Choice, Vol. 38, No. 7, March 2001)

"In this textbook for mathematics and computer science majors, Rodgers explains how to write compound sentences in equivalent forms and use them in valid arguments..." (SciTech Book News, March 2001)

Editorial Reviews

"A primary strength is its broad attention to ideas from logic, settheory and relations while focusing the key notions of symbolismand writing proofs." (Choice, Vol. 38, No. 7, March 2001)

"In this textbook for mathematics and computer science majors,Rodgers explains how to write compound sentences in equivalentforms and use them in valid arguments..." (SciTech Book News, March2001)

From the Publisher

A primary strength is its broad attention to ideas from logic, set theory and relations while focusing the key notions of symbolism and writing proofs.

Choice

In this textbook for mathematics and computer science majors, Rodgers explains how to write compound sentences in equivalent forms and use them in valid arguments...

SciTech Book News

In this textbook for mathematics and computer science majors, Rodgers (Hanover College) explains how to write compound sentences in equivalent forms and use them in valid arguments, and how to structure thinking and writing to form well-reasoned proofs before moving on to mathematical sets and relations. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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