Combinatorial Methods In Discrete Mathematics

This is an attempt to present some complex problems of discrete mathematics in a simple and unified form using a unique, general combinatorial scheme. The author's aim is not always to present the most general results, but rather to focus attention on ones that illustrate the methods described. A distinctive aspect of the book is the large number of asymptotic formulae derived.This is an important book, describing many ideas not previously available in English; the author has taken the chance to update the text and references where appropriate.

Combinatorial Methods with Computer Applications provides in-depth coverage of recurrences, generating functions, partitions, and permutations, along with some of the most interesting graph and network topics, design constructions, and finite geometries. Requiring only a foundation in discrete mathematics, it can serve as the textbook in a combinat

A 1996 account of some complex problems of discrete mathematics in a simple and unified form.

This is the most readable and thorough graduate textbook and reference for combinatorics, covering enumeration, graphs, sets, and methods.

Enumerative Combinatorics presents elaborate and systematic coverage of the theory of enumeration. The first seven chapters provide the necessary background, including basic counting principles and techniques, elementary enumerative topics, and an extended presentation of generating functions and recurrence relations. The remaining seven chapters focus on more advanced topics, including, Stirling numbers, partitions of integers, partition polynomials, Eulerian numbers and Polya's counting theorem. Extensively classroom tested, this text was designed for introductory- and intermediate-level courses in enumerative combinatorics, but the far-reaching applications of the subject also make the book useful to those in operational research, the physical and social science, and anyone who uses combinatorial methods. Remarks, discussions, tables, and numerous examples support the text, and a wealth of exercises-with hints and answers provided in an appendix--further illustrate the subject's concepts, theorems, and applications.

This gradual, systematic introduction to the main concepts of combinatorics is the ideal text for advanced undergraduate and early graduate courses in this subject. Each of the book's three sections--Existence, Enumeration, and Construction--begins with a simply stated first principle, which is then developed step by step until it leads to one of the three major achievements of combinatorics: Van der Waerden's theorem on arithmetic progressions, Polya's graph enumeration formula, and Leech's 24-dimensional lattice. Along the way, Professor Martin J. Erickson introduces fundamental results, discusses interconnection and problem-solving techniques, and collects and disseminates open problems that raise new and innovative questions and observations. His carefully chosen end-of-chapter exercises demonstrate the applicability of combinatorial methods to a wide variety of problems, including many drawn from the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition. Many important combinatorial methods are revisited several times in the course of the text--in exercises and examples as well as theorems and proofs. This repetition enables students to build confidence and reinforce their understanding of complex material. Mathematicians, statisticians, and computer scientists profit greatly from a solid foundation in combinatorics. Introduction to Combinatorics builds that foundation in an orderly, methodical, and highly accessible manner.

For the first time, this book unites different algebraic approaches for discrete optimization and operations research. The presentation of some fundamental directions of this new fast developing area shows the wide range of its applicability. Specifically, the book contains contributions in the following fields: semigroup and semiring theory applied to combinatorial and integer programming, network flow theory in ordered algebraic structures, extremal optimization problems, decomposition principles for discrete structures, Boolean methods in graph theory and applications.

Leave nothing to chance. This cliche embodies the common belief that ran domness has no place in carefully planned methodologies, every step should be spelled out, each i dotted and each t crossed. In discrete mathematics at least, nothing could be further from the truth. Introducing random choices into algorithms can improve their performance. The application of proba bilistic tools has led to the resolution of combinatorial problems which had resisted attack for decades. The chapters in this volume explore and celebrate this fact. Our intention was to bring together, for the first time, accessible discus sions of the disparate ways in which probabilistic ideas are enriching discrete mathematics. These discussions are aimed at mathematicians with a good combinatorial background but require only a passing acquaintance with the basic definitions in probability (e.g. expected value, conditional probability). A reader who already has a firm grasp on the area will be interested in the original research, novel syntheses, and discussions of ongoing developments scattered throughout the book. Some of the most convincing demonstrations of the power of these tech niques are randomized algorithms for estimating quantities which are hard to compute exactly. One example is the randomized algorithm of Dyer, Frieze and Kannan for estimating the volume of a polyhedron. To illustrate these techniques, we consider a simple related problem. Suppose S is some region of the unit square defined by a system of polynomial inequalities: Pi (x. y) ~ o.

This textbook thoroughly outlines combinatorial algorithms for generation, enumeration, and search. Topics include backtracking and heuristic search methods applied to various combinatorial structures, such as: Combinations Permutations Graphs Designs Many classical areas are covered as well as new research topics not included in most existing texts, such as: Group algorithms Graph isomorphism Hill-climbing Heuristic search algorithms This work serves as an exceptional textbook for a modern course in combinatorial algorithms, providing a unified and focused collection of recent topics of interest in the area. The authors, synthesizing material that can only be found scattered through many different sources, introduce the most important combinatorial algorithmic techniques - thus creating an accessible, comprehensive text that students of mathematics, electrical engineering, and computer science can understand without needing a prior course on combinatorics.

A unique approach illustrating discrete distribution theory through combinatorial methods This book provides a unique approach by presenting combinatorial methods in tandem with discrete distribution theory. This method, particular to discreteness, allows readers to gain a deeper understanding of theory by using applications to solve problems. The author makes extensive use of the reduction approach to conditional distributions of independent random occupancy numbers, and provides excellent studies of occupancy and sequential occupancy distributions, convolutions of truncated discrete distributions, and compound and mixture distributions. Combinatorial Methods in Discrete Distributions begins with a brief presentation of set theory followed by basic counting principles. Fundamental principles of combinatorics, finite differences, and discrete probability are included to give readers the necessary foundation to the topics presented in the text. A thorough examination of the field is provided and features: Stirling numbers and generalized factorial coefficients Occupancy and sequential occupancy distributions n-fold convolutions of truncated distributions Compound and mixture distributions Thoroughly worked examples aid readers in understanding complex theory and discovering how theory can be applied to solve practical problems. An appendix with hints and answers to the exercises helps readers work through the more complex sections. Reference notes are provided at the end of each chapter, and an extensive bibliography offers readers a resource for additional information on specialized topics.