Introduction to Combinatorics, 2nd Edition

Introduction to Combinatorics, 2nd Edition

by Martin J. Erickson
Released April 2013
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9781118637531

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Book description

Praise for the First Edition

"This excellent text should prove a useful accoutrement for any developing mathematics program . . . it's short, it's sweet, it's beautifully written." —The Mathematical Intelligencer

"Erickson has prepared an exemplary work . . . strongly recommended for inclusion in undergraduate-level library collections." —Choice

Featuring a modern approach, Introduction to Combinatorics, Second Edition illustrates the applicability of combinatorial methods and discusses topics that are not typically addressed in literature, such as Alcuin's sequence, Rook paths, and Leech's lattice. The book also presents fundamental results, discusses interconnection and problem-solving techniques, and collects and disseminates open problems that raise questions and observations.

  • Many important combinatorial methods are revisited and repeated several times throughout the book in exercises, examples, theorems, and proofs alike, allowing readers to build confidence and reinforce their understanding of complex material. In addition, the author successfully guides readers step-by-step through three major achievements of combinatorics: Van der Waerden's theorem on arithmetic progressions, Pólya's graph enumeration formula, and Leech's 24-dimensional lattice. Along with updated tables and references that reflect recent advances in various areas, such as error-correcting codes and combinatorial designs, the Second Edition also features:

  • Many new exercises to help readers understand and apply combinatorial techniques and ideas

  • A deeper, investigative study of combinatorics through exercises requiring the use of computer programs

  • Over fifty new examples, ranging in level from routine to advanced, that illustrate important combinatorial concepts

  • Basic principles and theories in combinatorics as well as new and innovative results in the field

Introduction to Combinatorics, Second Edition is an ideal textbook for a one- or two-semester sequence in combinatorics, graph theory, and discrete mathematics at the upper-undergraduate level. The book is also an excellent reference for anyone interested in the various applications of elementary combinatorics.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Half Title page
  3. Title page
  4. Copyright page
  5. Dedication
  6. Preface
  7. Chapter 1: Basic Counting Methods
    1. 1.1 The multiplication principle
    2. 1.2 Permutations
    3. 1.3 Combinations
    4. 1.4 Binomial coefficient identities
    5. 1.5 Distributions
    6. 1.6 The principle of inclusion and exclusion
    7. 1.7 Fibonacci numbers
    8. 1.8 Linear recurrence relations
    9. 1.9 Special recurrence relations
    10. 1.10 Counting and number theory
    11. Notes
  8. Chapter 2: Generating Functions
    1. 2.1 Rational generating functions
    2. 2.2 Special generating functions
    3. 2.3 Partition numbers
    4. 2.4 Labeled and unlabeled sets
    5. 2.5 Counting with symmetry
    6. 2.6 Cycle indexes
    7. 2.7 Pólya’s theorem
    8. 2.8 The number of graphs
    9. 2.9 Symmetries in domain and range
    10. 2.10 Asymmetric graphs
    11. Notes
  9. Chapter 3: The Pigeonhole Principle
    1. 3.1 The principle
    2. 3.2 The lattice point problem and SET®
    3. 3.3 Graphs
    4. 3.4 Colorings of the plane
    5. 3.5 Sequences and partial orders
    6. 3.6 Subsets
    7. Notes
  10. Chapter 4: Ramsey Theory
    1. 4.1 Ramsey’s theorem
    2. 4.2 Generalizations of Ramsey’s theorem
    3. 4.3 Ramsey numbers, bounds, and asymptotics
    4. 4.4 The probabilistic method
    5. 4.5 Schur’s theorem
    6. 4.6 Van der Waerden’s theorem
    7. Notes
  11. Chapter 5: Error-Correcting Codes
    1. 5.1 Binary codes
    2. 5.2 Perfect codes
    3. 5.3 Hamming codes
    4. 5.4 The Fano Configuration
    5. Notes
  12. Chapter 6: Combinatorial Designs
    1. 6.1 t-designs
    2. 6.2 Block designs
    3. 6.3 Projective planes
    4. 6.4 Latin squares
    5. 6.5 MOLS and OODs
    6. 6.6 Hadamard matrices
    7. 6.7 The Golay code and S(5, 8, 24)
    8. 6.8 Lattices and sphere packings
    9. 6.9 Leech’s lattice
    10. Notes
  13. Appendix A: Web Resources
  14. Appendix B: Notation
  15. Exercise Solutions
  16. References
  17. Index

Product information

  • Title: Introduction to Combinatorics, 2nd Edition
  • Author(s): Martin J. Erickson
  • Release date: April 2013
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9781118637531