Preface
Chapter
I The Method of Abstraction
II Numbers
III Euclid's Algorithm
IV Congruences
V Polynomials
VI Complex Numbers and Algebraic Fields
VII "Algebraic Integers, Ideals and p-adic Numbers"
VIII Groups
IX The Galois Theory of Equations
X Algebraic Geometry
XI Matrices and Determinants
XII Invariants and Tensors
XIII Algebras
XIV Group Algebras
XV The Symmetric Group
XVI Continuous Groups
XVII Application to Invariants
Index

As the title promises, this helpful volume offers easy access to the abstract principles common to science and mathematics. It eschews technical terms and omits troublesome details in favor of straightforward explanations that will allow scientists to read papers in branches of science other than their own, mathematicians to appreciate papers on topics on which they have no specialized knowledge, and other readers to cultivate an improved understanding of subjects employing mathematical principles. The broad scope of topics encompasses Euclid's algorithm; congruences; polynomials; complex numbers and algebraic fields; algebraic integers, ideals, and p-adic numbers; groups; the Galois theory of equations; algebraic geometry; matrices and determinants; invariants and tensors; algebras; group algebras; and more.
"It is refreshing to find a book which deals briefly but competently with a variety of concatenated algebraic topics, that is not written for the specialist," enthused the Journal of the Institute of ActuariesStudents' Society about this volume, adding "Littlewood's book can be unreservedly recommended."