This is an introduction to the analysis of metric and normed linear spaces for undergraduate students in mathematics. Assuming a basic knowledge of real analysis and linear algebra, the student is exposed to the axiomatic method in analysis and is shown its power in exploiting the structure of fundamental analysis, which underlies a variety of applications. An example is the link between normed linear spaces and linear algebra; finite dimensional spaces are discussed early. The treatment progresses from the concrete to the abstract: thus metric spaces are studied in some detail before general topology is begun, though topological properties of metric spaces are explored in the book. Graded exercises are provided at the end of each section; in each set the earlier exercises are designed to assist in the detection of the structural properties in concrete examples while the later ones are more conceptually sophisticated.

The abstract concepts of metric spaces are often perceived as difficult. This book offers a unique approach to the subject which gives readers the advantage of a new perspective on ideas familiar from the analysis of a real line. Rather than passing quickly from the definition of a metric to the more abstract concepts of convergence and continuity, the author takes the concrete notion of distance as far as possible, illustrating the text with examples and naturally arising questions. Attention to detail at this stage is designed to prepare the reader to understand the more abstract ideas with relative ease.

This is a basic course in functional analysis for senior undergraduate and beginning postgraduate students. The reader need only be familiarity with elementary real and complex analysis, linear algebra and have studied a course in the analysis of metric spaces; knowledge of integration theory or general topology is not required. The text concerns the structural properties of normed linear spaces in general, especially associated with dual spaces and continuous linear operators on normed linear spaces. The implications of the general theory are illustrated with a great variety of example spaces.

The unifying approach of functional analysis is to view functions as points in abstract vector space and the differential and integral operators as linear transformations on these spaces. The author's goal is to present the basics of functional analysis in a way that makes them comprehensible to a student who has completed courses in linear algebra and real analysis, and to develop the topics in their historical contexts.

The abstract concepts of metric spaces are often perceived as difficult. This book offers a unique approach to the subject which gives readers the advantage of a new perspective on ideas familiar from the analysis of a real line. Rather than passing quickly from the definition of a metric to the more abstract concepts of convergence and continuity, the author takes the concrete notion of distance as far as possible, illustrating the text with examples and naturally arising questions. Attention to detail at this stage is designed to prepare the reader to understand the more abstract ideas with relative ease.