A Beginner’s Guide to Finite Mathematics

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

   PDF

2. Numbers and Sets

   • W. D. Wallis

   Pages 1-44

3. Counting

   • W. D. Wallis

   Pages 45-69

4. Probability

   • W. D. Wallis

   Pages 71-135

5. Graph Theory

   • W. D. Wallis

   Pages 137-186

6. Matrices

   • W. D. Wallis

   Pages 187-240

7. Linear Programming

   • W. D. Wallis

   Pages 241-304

8. Back Matter

   Pages 305-355

   PDF

When elementary courses in discrete and combinatorial mathematics first became popular, they usually covered a broad spectrumofpure and applied topics. Most of the students were in Mathematics and Computer Science, with a handful ofbrave souls from other disciplines. Those other students usually found the courses quite difficult. However, the applications were useful in a numberofareas. The teaching of discrete topics has evolved into two streams. The more math­ ematical parts are studied in courses called Discrete Mathematics, and more ad­ vanced, more rigorous courses called Combinatorics, or named for specific areas (Graph Theory, Combinatorial Designs, Cryptography, and so on). Introductions to those areas of applicable discrete mathematics used by students in business, management and the social sciences are usually called Finite Mathematics, and e1ementary courses on this material are now standard at many colleges and uni­ versities.These courses are typically offered at the freshman level although many students take them later in their careers.

• Combinatorics
• Counting
• Finite Mathematics
• Graph Theory
• Linear Programming
• Median
• Set Theory
• ksa
• linear optimization
• modeling
• programming
• sets
• statistics

"The present textbook gives a concise introduction to finite mathematics. It covers the topics counting, discrete probability, graph theory, linear equations, and linear programming...It is well written and easy to read, with many examples and applications."

—International Mathematical News

"This concise book us desugbed for a one semester introductory course in finite mathematics and its applications for freshmen and sophomore students in business, management, and the social sciences...The author presents examples as "sample problems" in the body of every section, and these are usually followed by "your turn" exercises designed to test the reader's comprehension."

—ZENTRALBLATT MATH

"[A Beginner's Guide to Finite Mathematics] is suitable for self-studying the topic "finite mathematics" without visiting a course because of requiring little mathematical background beyond high school algebra. I would recommend this book to everyone who wants to have a first look at applied discrete mathematics."

—Simulation News Europe

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

  W. D. Wallis

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