A Beginner's Guide to Discrete Mathematics

by W.D. Wallis

This introduction to discrete mathematics is aimed primarily at undergraduates in mathematics and computer science at the freshmen and sophomore levels. The text has a distinctly applied orientation and begins with a survey of number systems and elementary set theory. Included are discussions of scientific notation and the representation of numbers in computers. Lists are presented as an example of data structures. An introduction to counting includes the Binomial Theorem and mathematical induction, which serves as a starting point for a brief study of recursion. The basics of probability theory are then covered. Graph study is discussed, including Euler and Hamilton cycles and trees. This is a vehicle for some easy proofs, as well as serving as another example of a data structure. Matrices and vectors are then defined. The book concludes with an introduction to cryptography, including the RSA cryptosystem, together with the necessary elementary number theory, e.g., Euclidean algorithm, Fermat's Little Theorem. Good examples occur throughout. At the end of every section there are two problem sets of equal difficulty. However, solutions are only given to the first set. References and index conclude the work. A math course at the college level is required to handle this text. College algebra would be the most helpful.

367 pages, Hardcover

First published November 8, 2002

Reviews

[Ashdin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for my first year discrete math class. Good book

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best description of public key cryptography I've read. (Caveat: I've only read books aimed at lay people.)