MATH Gre Subject Preparation

Forum for the GRE subject test in mathematics.
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BreakingBad
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2014 2:36 pm

MATH Gre Subject Preparation

Post by BreakingBad » Fri Feb 14, 2014 2:59 pm

I was wondering what books to use to prepare for the Subject Test? I'm not looking for review books (i.e. Princeton Review), but actual math textbooks. What do you recommend for the following subjects? I've listed books that I've already used in parentheses:

1) Calculus/Differential Equations (Stewart, Apostol)

2) Linear Algebra (Axler, Strang)

3) Abstract Algebra (Gallian)

4) Complex Analysis (Stein)

5) Real Analysis/Topology (Bartle, Munkres)

6) Discrete Mathematics

Thanks!

seanlikesmath
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Jun 07, 2013 9:37 am

Re: MATH Gre Subject Preparation

Post by seanlikesmath » Mon Feb 17, 2014 2:44 pm

Lang and Artin both have great algebra books for learning the theory. The test is computationally heavy, though, and most problems I've done from each are very theory based, so you may want to supplement them with problems that have actually numbers.

Bartle has a good intro to real analysis book, and Brown/Churchill did one on complex variables. Both are readable and will supply plenty of computation heavy problems.

veektorreeyah
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2013 5:01 pm

Re: MATH Gre Subject Preparation

Post by veektorreeyah » Mon Feb 24, 2014 4:46 pm

Linear Algebra by Howard Anton is one of my favorites. I think they are on the 10th edition now, but the 9th edition is better.

I second Brown & Churchill for Complex Variables.

Differential Equations by Zill is good as well.

But I bombed the GRE so my opinion probably doesn't count ;)

poorasian
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2013 2:22 am

Re: MATH Gre Subject Preparation

Post by poorasian » Mon Feb 24, 2014 6:00 pm

Hungerford's undergraduate algebra text might be good. It's very computational.

BreakingBad
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2014 2:36 pm

Re: MATH Gre Subject Preparation

Post by BreakingBad » Mon Feb 24, 2014 11:58 pm

poorasian wrote:Hungerford's undergraduate algebra text might be good. It's very computational.
You're referring to "Abstract Algebra- An Introduction", correct?

poorasian
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2013 2:22 am

Re: MATH Gre Subject Preparation

Post by poorasian » Tue Feb 25, 2014 2:21 am

yeah, he also has a graduate algebra text, which is definitely not what you need.

BreakingBad
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2014 2:36 pm

Re: MATH Gre Subject Preparation

Post by BreakingBad » Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:03 am

For anyone studying for the subject GRE, I found this useful post on another site:

"Make sure that you do each and every problem from Stewart Calculus atleast twice, since its timed test, pace is also important factor.

Do Dummit upto field extensions, if you have time do Artin's Algebra too.

Rudin Real Analysis, Munkres Topology, Insel Linear Algebra are also must.

I suggest to go for Gamelin Complex Analysis, Brown's Complex Analysis is also sufficient but if you are good at Complex Analysis you can save time in the exam by simplifying integral using methods from Complex Analysis. (Do till Residues)

For the misc topics pick any Discrete Maths book and read them a day or two that's more than enough.

Learn some basic number theory from any introductory book.

Do all the 4 available practice tests, you should be able to finish of the tests little earlier because actual test will be harder than those practice tests."

BreakingBad
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2014 2:36 pm

Re: MATH Gre Subject Preparation

Post by BreakingBad » Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:07 am

For probability and statistics, I can suggest:

A First Course in Probability by Ross

Introduction to Mathematical Statistics by Hogg

Overclocked
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 3:09 am

Re: MATH Gre Subject Preparation

Post by Overclocked » Fri Feb 28, 2014 3:12 am

discrete mathematics and its applications - rosen



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