Open Source Abstract Algebra Textbooks

Question

Does anyone know of any open source abstract algebra textbooks other than Judson's? I am about to write a small program for a friend that will generate a random algebra problem (for preparing for quals) and my idea is to go through judson (and hopefully some other open source algebra textbooks) and get the exercises, put them in a database and pick them randomly and then show it to them using MathJax or something. But I'm having trouble finding a list of open source abstract algebra textbooks that have the .tex files.

I would be content with finding online lists of abstract algebra problems with latex code that is easily parseable?

Thanks!

Answer 1

In the case of quals, there are normally old quals available (either from your department or other departments) and possibly old websites containing problem sets for graduate level algebra - it would be better to study those instead of random problems from an algebra book (especially a non-common graduate level book, since the likelihood of getting a useful problem for preparation is not high when selecting problems normally).

Answer 2

If you are looking for problems, it would be easier to strip mine MSE, collect old exams/homework (many schools have them on line). But I think selecting the problems, classifying them, retyping, and the other tasks attendant to this make this a huge undertaking for any non-trivial number of problems.

You might want to ask a moderator to move this question to MESE (math educators).

Answer 3

@Robert, that presumes a few standardized environments for exercises. In my (limited) exposure to more substantial LaTeX documents, it often turns out hard to even read the tangle of local macros used. I recently saw a webpage proposing a set of standard definitions for open source math texts, but I'm sure skeptical something like that will get any traction. It won't help you, anyway.

Sorry, retyping is probably much faster.