Abstract Algebra: A Computational Approach

Description

From Preface: "This book is intended as a text for a one-year introductory course in abstract algebra in which algorithmic questions and computation are stressed. A significant amount of computer usage by students is anticipated. My decision to write the book grew out of my interest in group-theoretic algorithms and my observation that learning the definitions, the theorems, and even the proofs of algebra too often fails to equip students adequately to solve computational algebraic problems. The goals of the book are to: 1. Introduce students to the basic concepts of algebra and to elementary results about them. 2. Present the concept of an algorithm and to discuss certain fundamental algebraic algorithms. 3. Show how computers can be used to solve algebraic problems and to provide a library, CLASSLIB, of computer programs with which students can investigate interesting computational questions in algebra. 4. Describe the APL computer language to the extent needed to achieve the other goals."