Author Profile

Leonard Eugene Dickson, an American Mathematician and one of the first American researchers in the field of Abstract Algebra, The Theory of Finite Fields and Classical Groups, was born at Independence, lowa, USA on January 22, 1874. He attended the University of Texas and earned a B.S. in 1893 and an M.S. in 1894. In 1896, at the age of 22, he was awarded Doctorate in Mathematics by the University of Chicago. He then went to Leipzig and Paris for further education. He joined University of California as an instructor when he came back to USA. In 1899, when he was 25, he joined the University of Texas as an Associate Professor. He joined University of Chicago in 1900 and remained there till his retirement in 1939. He worked as a Visiting Professor in 1914, 1918 and 1922 at the University of California.

About The Book

The theory of equations is not only a necessity in the subsequent mathematical courses and their applications, but furnishes an illuminating sequel to geometry, algebra and analytic geometry. Moreover, it develops anew and in greater detail various fundamental ideas of calculus for the simple, but important, case of polynomials. The theory of equations therefore affords a useful supplement to differential calculus whether taken subsequently or simultaneously. 'First Course in the Theory of Equations' throws important light on various elementary topics with the help of simple and detailed proofs. It may be used parallel with a course in differential calculus.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER I Complex Numbers
CHAPTER II Theorems on Roots of Equations
CHAPTER III Constructions with Ruler and Compasses
CHAPTER IV Cubic and Quartic Equations
CHAPTER V The Graph of an Equation
CHAPTER VI Isolation of Real Roots
CHAPTER VII Solution of Numerical Equations
CHAPTER VIII Determinants; Systems of Linear Equations
CHAPTER IX Symmetric Functions
CHAPTER X Elimination, Resultants and Discriminants
APPENDIX Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
Answers
Index