: Chapters 1–3 focus on formalizing what it means to solve an equation by radicals.
: Chapters 8–11 use permutation groups to explain multivariate functions and the mechanics of the 15-puzzle. Key Topics and Features Introductory Modern Algebra: A Historical Appro...
: The text follows a "paper trail" starting with the Renaissance-era solutions of cubic and quartic equations and concluding with the work of Évariste Galois. : Chapters 1–3 focus on formalizing what it
Introductory Modern Algebra: A Historical Approach: Stahl, Saul Instead, it uses the historical quest to solve
: Discusses constructibility with ruler and compass, including the constructibility of the regular 17-sided polygon.
Much of modern algebra has its roots in the solvability of equations by radicals. Most introductory modern algebra texts, however, Amazon.com Introductory Modern Algebra A Historical Approach
Introductory Modern Algebra: A Historical Approach by Saul Stahl, published by Wiley , is a unique undergraduate textbook that deviates from the standard axiomatic "group-then-ring-then-field" teaching method. Instead, it uses the historical quest to solve polynomial equations by radicals as a motivating narrative to introduce abstract concepts. Core Philosophy and Structure