¿Proofs and Fundamentals: A First Course in Abstract Mathematics¿ 2nd edition is designed as a "transition" course to introduce undergraduates to the writing of rigorous mathematical proofs, and to such fundamental mathematical ideas as sets, functions, relations, and cardinality. The text serves as a bridge between computational courses such as calculus, and more theoretical, proofs-oriented courses such as linear algebra, abstract algebra and real analysis. This 3-part work carefully balances Proofs, Fundamentals, and Extras. Part 1 presents logic and basic proof techniques; Part 2 thoroughly covers fundamental material such as sets, functions and relations; and Part 3 introduces a variety of extra topics such as groups, combinatorics and sequences. A gentle, friendly style is used, in which motivation and informal discussion play a key role, and yet high standards in rigor and in writing are never compromised.

New to the second edition:
1) A new section about the foundations of set theory has been added at the end of the chapter about sets. This section includes a very informal discussion of the Zermelö
Fraenkel Axioms for set theory. We do not make use of these axioms subsequently in the text, but it is valuable for any mathematician to be aware that an axiomatic basis for set theory exists. Also included in this new section is a slightly expanded discussion of the Axiom of Choice, and new discussion of Zorn's Lemma, which is used later in the text.

2) The chapter about the cardinality of sets has been rearranged and expanded. There is a new section at the start of the chapter that summarizes various properties of the set of natural numbers; these properties play important roles subsequently in the chapter. The sections on induction and recursion have been slightly expanded, and have been relocated to an earlier place in the chapter (following the new sectio

Dr. Ethan D. Bloch of Bard College is the author of two Springer publications "A First Course in Geometric Topology and Differential Geometry," and the first and second editions of, "Proofs and Fundamentals: A First Course in Abstract Mathematics." More information about Dr. Ethan D. Bloch can be found on his person web page: http://math.bard.edu/bloch

Preface to the Second Edition Preface to the First Edition To the Student To the Instructor Part I. Proofs 1. Informal Logic 2. Strategies for Proofs Part II. Fundamentals 3. Sets 4. Functions 5. Relations 6. Finite and Infinite Sets Part III. Extras 7. Selected Topics 8. Explorations Appendix: Properties of Numbers Bibliography Index