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A Beginner’s Guide to Discrete Mathematics

  • Textbook
  • © 2003

Overview

Authors:
  1. W. D. Wallis

    1. Department of Mathematics, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
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  2. Properties of Numbers

    • W. D. Wallis
    Pages 1-30

  3. Sets and Data Structures

    • W. D. Wallis
    Pages 31-64

  4. Boolean Algebras and Circuits

    • W. D. Wallis
    Pages 65-89

  5. Relations and Functions

    • W. D. Wallis
    Pages 91-109

  6. The Theory of Counting

    • W. D. Wallis
    Pages 111-154

  7. Probability

    • W. D. Wallis
    Pages 155-204

  8. Graph Theory

    • W. D. Wallis
    Pages 205-249

  9. Matrices

    • W. D. Wallis
    Pages 251-284

  10. Number Theory and Cryptography

    • W. D. Wallis
    Pages 285-326

  11. Back Matter

    Pages 327-367
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Keywords

About this book

This text is a basic introduction to those areas of discrete mathematics used by stu­ dents of mathematics and computer science. Introductory courses on this material are now standard at many colleges and universities. Usually these courses are of one semester's duration, and usually they are offered at the sophomore level. Very often this will be the first course where the students see several real proofs. The preparation of the students is very mixed, and one cannot assume a strong back­ ground. In particular, the instructor should not assume that the students have seen a linear algebra course, or any introduction to number systems that goes beyond college algebra. In view of this, I have tried to avoid too much sophistication, while still re­ taining rigor. I hope I have included enough problems so that the student can reinforce the concepts. Most of the problems are quite easy, with just a few dif­ ficult exercises scattered through the text. If the class is weak, a small number of sections will be too hard, while the instructor who has a strong class will need to include some supplementary material. I think this is preferable to a book at a higher mathematical level, which will scare away weaker students.

Reviews

"Wallis's book on discrete mathematics is a resource for an introductory course in a subject fundamental to both mathematics and computer science, a course that is expected not only to cover certain specific topics but also to introduce students to important modes of thought specific to each discipline . . . Lower-division undergraduates through graduate students.

—CHOICE

"Very appropriately entitled as a 'beginner's guide', this textbook presents itself as the first exposure to discrete mathematics and rigorous proof for the mathematics or computer science student."

—ZENTRALBLATT MATH

"This book introduces the basic topics of discrete mathematics to students of mathematics and computer science. … It is appropriate for first-year students in mathematics and computer science. Sample problems and solutions are presented throughout the text. … In addition, the book provides many exercises for each section of material. … The book is very user-friendly. … If you teach discrete mathematics at the beginning level to students … I recommend that you take a look at this text."   —SIGACT News

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Mathematics, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA

    W. D. Wallis

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