threwythrw

I’d argue that a true beginner shouldn’t trust their intuition unless they have the rigor to prove it is correct. True beginners may think they have solid intuition and a rigorous proof, but without outside validation, may have a blantant or subtle error they cannot see. The point is not to study rote solutions, but to check correctness.

Edit: To your reply below, I’m talking about someone that is self-studying and has no access to a teacher. The suggestion the beginner (without a teacher) should “know” whether or not their solutions are correct is something I disagree with.

I do agree with there are multiple ways to prove something and such a beginner may think their proof is incorrect based on a provided solution, when it may be correct, just different. This is why an instructor is valuable.

>Also, if you can’t prove a solution correct, then you haven’t solved it!

This is the type of thinking I’m talking about. A beginner can think they “proved a solution correct” but have a subtle or even blantant error that isn’t obvious to them.

Also, if reader wants to just skip to the solutions then that’s their fault. But don’t let such people rob the student that put serious effort into their work from seeing the solution.

Do the exercises have solutions? The most annoying things about math books is the lack of solutions. A beginner absolutely needs to know whether or not their solutions are correct.

The “the reader should know if they are correct” logic doesn’t apply here. A beginner could easily have faulty logic and fool themselves into thinking their solutions are correct.

I usually don’t buy math books without solutions if I’m self-studying. Would like to know if solutions are provided in this book. If not, I won’t consider buying it.

If this book doesn’t make the cut with a solution manual, does anyone have recommendations on an intro to proofs book with one?