Topology continues to be a topic of prime importance in contemporary mathematics, but until the publication of this book there were few if any introductions to topology for undergraduates. This book remedied that need by offering a carefully thought-out, graduated approach to point set topology at the undergraduate level. To make the book as accessible as possible, the author approaches topology from a geometric and axiomatic standpoint; geometric, because most students come to the subject with a good deal of geometry behind them, enabling them to use their geometric intuition; axiomatic, because it parallels the student's experience with modern algebra, and keeps the book in harmony with current trends in mathematics. After a discussion of such preliminary topics as the algebra of sets, Euler-Venn diagrams and infinite sets, the author takes up basic definitions and theorems regarding topological spaces (Chapter 1). The second chapter deals with continuous functions (mappings) and homeomorphisms, followed by two chapters on special types of topological spaces (varieties of compactness and varieties of connectedness). Chapter 5 covers metric spaces. Since basic point set topology serves as a foundation not only for functional analysis but also for more advanced work in point set topology and algebraic topology, the author has included topics aimed at students with interests other than analysis. Moreover, Dr. Baum has supplied quite detailed proofs in the beginning to help students approaching this type of axiomatic mathematics for the first time. Similarly, in the first part of the book problems are elementary, but they become progressively more difficult toward the end of the book. References have been supplied to suggest further reading to the interested student.

Topology is a large subject with many branches broadly categorized as algebraic topology, point-set topology, and geometric topology. Point-set topology is the main language for a broad variety of mathematical disciplines. Algebraic topology serves as a powerful tool for studying the problems in geometry and numerous other areas of mathematics. Ele

This textbook in point set topology is aimed at an upper-undergraduate audience. Its gentle pace will be useful to students who are still learning to write proofs. Prerequisites include calculus and at least one semester of analysis, where the student has been properly exposed to the ideas of basic set theory such as subsets, unions, intersections, and functions, as well as convergence and other topological notions in the real line. Appendices are included to bridge the gap between this new material and material found in an analysis course. Metric spaces are one of the more prevalent topological spaces used in other areas and are therefore introduced in the first chapter and emphasized throughout the text. This also conforms to the approach of the book to start with the particular and work toward the more general. Chapter 2 defines and develops abstract topological spaces, with metric spaces as the source of inspiration, and with a focus on Hausdorff spaces. The final chapter concentrates on continuous real-valued functions, culminating in a development of paracompact spaces.

In addition to serving as an introduction to the basics of point-set topology, this text bridges the gap between the elementary calculus sequence and higher-level mathematics courses. The versatile, original approach focuses on learning to read and write proofs rather than covering advanced topics. Based on lecture notes that were developed over many years at The University of Seattle, the treatment is geared toward undergraduate math majors and suitable for a variety of introductory courses. Starting with elementary concepts in logic and basic techniques of proof writing, the text defines topological and metric spaces and surveys continuity and homeomorphism. Additional subjects include product spaces, connectedness, and compactness. The final chapter illustrates topology's use in other branches of mathematics with proofs of the fundamental theorem of algebra and of Picard's existence theorem for differential equations. "This is a back-to-basics introductory text in point-set topology that can double as a transition to proofs course. The writing is very clear, not too concise or too wordy. Each section of the book ends with a large number of exercises. The optional first chapter covers set theory and proof methods; if the students already know this material you can start with Chapter 2 to present a straight topology course, otherwise the book can be used as an introduction to proofs course also." — Mathematical Association of America

In this broad introduction to topology, the author searches for topological invariants of spaces, together with techniques for their calculating. Students with knowledge of real analysis, elementary group theory, and linear algebra will quickly become familiar with a wide variety of techniques and applications involving point-set, geometric, and algebraic topology. Over 139 illustrations and more than 350 problems of various difficulties help students gain a thorough understanding of the subject.

This text contains a detailed introduction to general topology and an introduction to algebraic topology via its most classical and elementary segment. Proofs of theorems are separated from their formulations and are gathered at the end of each chapter, making this book appear like a problem book and also giving it appeal to the expert as a handbook. The book includes about 1,000 exercises.