Math 430 Spring 2016



Lectures: MWF 12:10pm-1:00pm Lopata 229


Instructor: Songhao Li        Office: 207A Cupples I

Office Phone: (314)935-4208        email: sli (at) math (dot) wustl (dot) edu

Office Hours: Wednesday 1:30pm-2:30pm, Friday 2pm-4pm

TA: Gong Cheng

TA Office Hours: Thursday 2pm-5pm, Lopata 323 (Calculus Help Room)

Course Webpage: http://www.math.wustl.edu/~sli/math430_spring2016/course.html

Textbook: A First Course in Abstract Algebra, 7ed by John B. Fraleigh

Suggested: Abstract Algebra, 3ed by Dummit and Foote

Note: Dummit-Foote is a big book, and we will not use it much for this course.

However, Dummit-Foote is becoming the standard textbook for the graduate qualifying courses.

If you plan to do graduate studies in mathematics, it might be worthwhile to purchase Dummit-Foote early rather than later.


Syllabus:

To be discussed in the first class...

We could follow one of two plans:

1. To lay a solid foundation for basic concepts, complemented with standard examples.

2. To aim a direct path towards the Galois theory and the insolvability of the Quintic.

After some discussion, we will follow Plan 1.


COURSE GRADE:

There will be weekly homework.

In addtion, we will have two in-class tests, and a final exam.

The course point grade will calculated as follows:

Homework 20%

Test 1 20%

Test 2 20%

Final Exam 40%


If you get the average point grade for the course, you will be guarenteed a B+.

Depending how the class performs, the grading scheme might be more generous.


Tests and Exam:

Prelimenarily, we have the following test dates:

Test 1: Feb 29, Monday

Test 2: April 11, Monday

Final Exam: TBA

Test 1 with solution

Test 2 with solution


Homeworks:

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS:

Print the homework sheet and use it as the cover sheet.

Write your student number and your name clearly on the cover sheet.

Please use letter sized papers only, and remember to staple your homework.

Anyone who fail to do this will be subjected to a 10% penalty.


In addition, there is also a no non-sense bonus of 10%.

If your entire homework has absolutely no mistakes, then you will receive a 10% bonus.

This includes typos, spelling errors, grammatical errors and a reasonable standard of tidiness.


Homework 1  due Feb 1

Homework 2  due Feb 8

Homework 3  due Feb 15

Homework 4  due Feb 22 (updated with the correct section numbering!)

Homework 5  due N/A

Homework 6  due March 9 (updated due date and corrected a typo)

Homework 7  due March 21

Homework 8  due March 30 (updated the extra problem.)

Homework 9  due April 6

Homework 10  due N/A

Homework 11  due April 20

Homework 12  due April 27 (updated with the corrected numbering!)

Homework 13  due N/A


Jim Crowder's solutions

Disclaimer: I have not proofread Jim's solution, and I am not responsible for any typos and mistakes.

Solution 1

Solution 2

Solution 3

Solution 4

Solution 5