Algebra I - Nicolas Bourbaki
1. This series of volumes, a list of which is given on pages ix and x, takes up
mathematics at the beginning, and gives complete proofs. In principle, it
requires no particular knowledgc of mathematics on the rcaders’ part, but only
a certain familiarity with mathematical reasoning and a certain capacity for
abstract thought. Nevertheless, it is directed especially to those who have a
good knowledge of at least the content of the first year or two of a university
mathematics course.
2. The method of exposition we have chosen is axiomatic and abstract, and
normally proceeds from the general to the particular. This choice has been
dictated by the main purpose of the treatise, which is to provide a solid
foundation for the whole body of modern mathematics. For this it is indis-
pensable to become familiar with a rather large number of very general ideas
and principles. Moreover, the demands of proof impose a rigorously fixed order
on the subject matter. It follows that the utility of certain considerations will
not be immediately apparent to the reader unless he has already a fairly
extended knowledge of mathematics; otherwise he must have the patience to
suspend judgment until the occasion arises.
3. In order to mitigate this disadvantage we have frequently inserted examples
in the text which refer to facts the reader may already know but which have
not yet been discussed in the series. Such examples are always placed between
two asterisks: * . . *. Most readers will undoubtedly find that these examples
will help them to understand the text, and will prefer not to leave them out,
even at a first reading. Their omission would of course have no disadvantage,
from a purely logical point of view.
4. This series is divided into volumes (here called “Books”). The first six
Books are numbered and, in general, every statement in the text assumes as
known only those results which have already been discussed in the preceding
volumes. This rule holds good within each Book, but for convenience of expo-
sition these Books are no longer arranged in a consecutive order. At the begin-
ning of each of these Books (or of these chapters), the reader will find a precise
indication of its logical relationship to the other Books and he will thus be
able to satisfy himself of the absence of any vicious circle.
5. The logical framework of each chapter consists of the definitions, the axioms,
and the theorems of the chapter. These are the parts that have mainly to be
borne in mind for subsequent use. Less important results and those which can
easily be deduced from the theorems are labelled as “propositions”, “lemmas”,
“corollaries”, “remarks”, etc. Those which may be omitted at a first reading
are printed in small type. A commentary on a particularly important theorem
appears occasionally under the name of “scholium~’.
To avoid tedious repetitions it is sometimes convenient to introduce nota-
tions or abbreviations which are in force only within a certain chapter or a
certain section of a chapter (for example, in a chapter which is concerned only
with commutative rings, the word “ring” would always signify “commutative
ring”). Such conventions are always explicitly mentioned, generally at the
beginning of the chapter in which they occur.
6. Some passages in the text are designed to forewarn the reader against
serious errors. These passages are signposted in the margin with the sign
2 (“dangerous bend”).
7. The Exercises are designed both to enable the reader to satisfy himself that
he has digested the text and to bring to his notice results which have no place
in the text but which are nonetheless of interest. The most difficult exercises
bear the sign 8.
8. In general, we have adhered to the commonly accepted terminology,
except where there appeared to be good reasons for deviating from it.
9. We have made a particular effort always to use rigorously correct language.
without sacrificing simplicity. As far as possible we have drawn attention in the
text to abuses of language, without which any mathematical text runs the risk of
pedantry, not to say unreadability.
10. Since in principle the text consists of the dogmatic exposition of a theory,
it contains in general no references to the literature. Bibliographical references
are gathered together in Historical Notes, usually at the end of each chapter.
These notes also contain indications, where appropriate, of the unsolved
problems of the theory.
The bibliography which follows each historical note contains in general
only those books and original memoirs which have been of the greatest impor-
tance in the evolution of the theory under discussion. It makes no sort of pre- tence to completeness; in particular, references which serve only to determine
questions of priority are almost always omitted.
Asto the exercises, we have not thought it worthwhile in general to indicate
their origins, since they have been taken from many different sources (original
papers, textbooks, collections of exercises).
11. References to a part of this series are given as follows :
a) If reference is made to theorems, axioms, or definitions presented in the same
section, they are quoted by their number.
b) If they occur in another section of the same chapter, this section is also quoted in
the reference.
C) If they occur in another chapter in the same Book, the chapter and section are
quoted.
d) If they occur in another Book, this Book is first quoted by its title.
signifies “Summary of Results of the Theory of Sets”.
The Summaries of Results are quoted by the letter R;
- ISBN-13: 9783540642435
- ISBN-10: 3540642439
- Publisher: Springer
- Publish Date: September 1998
- Page Count: 710
1. This series of volumes, a list of which is given on pages ix and x, takes up
mathematics at the beginning, and gives complete proofs. In principle, it
requires no particular knowledgc of mathematics on the rcaders’ part, but only
a certain familiarity with mathematical reasoning and a certain capacity for
abstract thought. Nevertheless, it is directed especially to those who have a
good knowledge of at least the content of the first year or two of a university
mathematics course.
2. The method of exposition we have chosen is axiomatic and abstract, and
normally proceeds from the general to the particular. This choice has been
dictated by the main purpose of the treatise, which is to provide a solid
foundation for the whole body of modern mathematics. For this it is indis-
pensable to become familiar with a rather large number of very general ideas
and principles. Moreover, the demands of proof impose a rigorously fixed order
on the subject matter. It follows that the utility of certain considerations will
not be immediately apparent to the reader unless he has already a fairly
extended knowledge of mathematics; otherwise he must have the patience to
suspend judgment until the occasion arises.
3. In order to mitigate this disadvantage we have frequently inserted examples
in the text which refer to facts the reader may already know but which have
not yet been discussed in the series. Such examples are always placed between
two asterisks: * . . *. Most readers will undoubtedly find that these examples
will help them to understand the text, and will prefer not to leave them out,
even at a first reading. Their omission would of course have no disadvantage,
from a purely logical point of view.
4. This series is divided into volumes (here called “Books”). The first six
Books are numbered and, in general, every statement in the text assumes as
known only those results which have already been discussed in the preceding
volumes. This rule holds good within each Book, but for convenience of expo-
sition these Books are no longer arranged in a consecutive order. At the begin-
ning of each of these Books (or of these chapters), the reader will find a precise
indication of its logical relationship to the other Books and he will thus be
able to satisfy himself of the absence of any vicious circle.
5. The logical framework of each chapter consists of the definitions, the axioms,
and the theorems of the chapter. These are the parts that have mainly to be
borne in mind for subsequent use. Less important results and those which can
easily be deduced from the theorems are labelled as “propositions”, “lemmas”,
“corollaries”, “remarks”, etc. Those which may be omitted at a first reading
are printed in small type. A commentary on a particularly important theorem
appears occasionally under the name of “scholium~’.
To avoid tedious repetitions it is sometimes convenient to introduce nota-
tions or abbreviations which are in force only within a certain chapter or a
certain section of a chapter (for example, in a chapter which is concerned only
with commutative rings, the word “ring” would always signify “commutative
ring”). Such conventions are always explicitly mentioned, generally at the
beginning of the chapter in which they occur.
6. Some passages in the text are designed to forewarn the reader against
serious errors. These passages are signposted in the margin with the sign
2 (“dangerous bend”).
7. The Exercises are designed both to enable the reader to satisfy himself that
he has digested the text and to bring to his notice results which have no place
in the text but which are nonetheless of interest. The most difficult exercises
bear the sign 8.
8. In general, we have adhered to the commonly accepted terminology,
except where there appeared to be good reasons for deviating from it.
9. We have made a particular effort always to use rigorously correct language.
without sacrificing simplicity. As far as possible we have drawn attention in the
text to abuses of language, without which any mathematical text runs the risk of
pedantry, not to say unreadability.
10. Since in principle the text consists of the dogmatic exposition of a theory,
it contains in general no references to the literature. Bibliographical references
are gathered together in Historical Notes, usually at the end of each chapter.
These notes also contain indications, where appropriate, of the unsolved
problems of the theory.
The bibliography which follows each historical note contains in general
only those books and original memoirs which have been of the greatest impor-
tance in the evolution of the theory under discussion. It makes no sort of pre- tence to completeness; in particular, references which serve only to determine
questions of priority are almost always omitted.
Asto the exercises, we have not thought it worthwhile in general to indicate
their origins, since they have been taken from many different sources (original
papers, textbooks, collections of exercises).
11. References to a part of this series are given as follows :
a) If reference is made to theorems, axioms, or definitions presented in the same
section, they are quoted by their number.
b) If they occur in another section of the same chapter, this section is also quoted in
the reference.
C) If they occur in another chapter in the same Book, the chapter and section are
quoted.
d) If they occur in another Book, this Book is first quoted by its title.
signifies “Summary of Results of the Theory of Sets”.
The Summaries of Results are quoted by the letter R;
