<p>So here's my situation:</p>
<p>I'm a math major entering my junior year. I've always been "good" at math, as in I've gotten A's from Algebra through DiffEq - all computational courses. However, I recently took Discrete (got an A), but found proofs to be quite difficult. I plan on taking basic analysis this coming semester, but I've heard it's difficult and is one of the first "real" math classes I'll take. </p>
<p>I looked in the textbook, and I'm not going to lie: it looks rough. I glanced through the sections (not seriously studied) and the chapter exercises, and none looked easy (nor I could do any of the problems, naturally).</p>
<p>So, how "survivable" is analysis? Does it look tough because I haven't been taught it yet (or seriously studied), or will it be rough even with a prof? Can a decent prof truly help? Btw, I'm completely willing to put in a ton of mental energy into studying for the class.</p>
<p>Thanks guys!</p>
<p>What text book?</p>
<p>I really like analysis. It was hard, but it was fun. The best thing to do is get together with a bunch of kids from your class and do the homework together.</p>
<p>My prof’s going old-school (and thrifty) with Rosenlicht. It’s quite terse, so when I skim, I feel like I “understand” it, but I couldn’t produce it on my own (ergo I can’t do the exercises).</p>
<p>And that sounds like a great idea, actually. Group studying (w/ like-minded folks) would probably be great.</p>
<p>And by tough, do you mean, working at it until it clicked? It’s certainly not plug-n-chug.</p>
<p>Rosenlicht is an excellent book. </p>
<p>For me, analysis involved very careful reading. I read and reread the book multiple times and made sure I understood the proofs and examples. Also, don’t be afraid to talk to your professor. I ended up developing a very good relationship with the professor I had analysis with and did two semesters of independent studies with him. </p>
<p>Also, for certain things it may be helpful to pull out your old calculus textbook.</p>