[Math] Book suggestion on set theory/logic

book-recommendationelementary-set-theorylogic

Can anyone recommend good books/tutorials on set theory/logic with simple explanations for a person with no math background (nothing beyond arithmetic and basic algebra back in school)?

Best Answer

Daniel Velleman's How to Prove It (2nd Edition).

It's basically written for exactly your purpose, and it's quite good.

http://amzn.com/0521675995

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[Math] Books on theorems of Basic set theory after Logic…

If you want something basic, slow paced, with detailed proofs and solutions of some exercises, then this could be a good choice.

Schaum's outline of theory and problems of set theory and related topics By Seymour Lipschutz

This book was also recommended in an answer to this related question: Set theory practice problems?

I should add that I only have this book in hand only a few times, mostly when I was looking for some exercises. But what I wrote above more-or-less characterizes the books from Schaum's Outlines series I've seen so far.

[Math] The Maths necessary to understand Logic, Model theory and Set theory to a very high level

Apart from actually learning logic, set theory and model theory you would probably benefit from some basic understanding in

Abstract algebra (group theory, ring theory, etc.)
General topology
Some basic measure theory
Computability and complexity

While these things are not necessary per se in order to gain understanding in logic, or set theory (although model theory deals a lot with actual mathematics, so you can't escape it there); in order to fully understand set theory I think that one has to see "usual" mathematical theories and understand them at a basic level. If not for anything else, then in order to understand what makes set theory special.

It seems, if so, that the better part of an undergrad degree in mathematics is needed. But then again, it is needed if you wish to understand any mathematical theory in depth.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

[Math] Books on theorems of Basic set theory after Logic…

[Math] The Maths necessary to understand Logic, Model theory and Set theory to a very high level

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