1st Edition

Discrete Structures with Contemporary Applications

By Alexander Stanoyevitch Copyright 2011
    1002 Pages 308 B/W Illustrations
    by Chapman & Hall

    Reflecting many of the recent advances and trends in this area, Discrete Structures with Contemporary Applications covers the core topics in discrete structures as well as an assortment of novel applications-oriented topics. The applications described include simulations, genetic algorithms, network flows, probabilistic primality tests, public key cryptography, and coding theory.

    A modern and comprehensive introduction to discrete structures
    With clear definitions and theorems and carefully explained proofs, this classroom-tested text presents an accessible yet rigorous treatment of the material. Numerous worked-out examples illustrate key points while figures and tables help students grasp the more subtle and difficult concepts. "Exercises for the Reader" are interspersed throughout the text, with complete solutions included in an appendix. In addition to these, each section ends with extensive, carefully crafted exercise sets ranging from routine to nontrivial; answers can be found in another appendix. Most sections also contain computer exercises that guide students through the process of writing their own programs on any computing platform.

    Accommodates various levels of computer implementation
    Although the book highly encourages the use of computing platforms, it can be used without computers. The author explains algorithms in ordinary English and, when appropriate, in a natural and easy-to-understand pseudo code that can be readily translated into any computer language. A supporting website provides an extensive set of sample programs.

    Logic and Sets
    Logical Operators
    Logical Quantifiers
    Sets

    Relations and Functions, Boolean Algebra, and Circuit Design
    Relations and Functions
    Equivalence Relations and Partial Orderings
    Boolean Algebra and Circuit Design

    The Integers, Induction, and Recursion
    Mathematical Induction
    Recursion
    Some Topics in Elementary Number Theory

    Number Systems
    Representations of Integers in Different Bases
    Modular Arithmetic and Congruences
    Matrices
    Floating Point Arithmetic
    Public Key Cryptography

    Counting Techniques, Combinatorics, and Generating Functions
    Fundamental Principles of Counting
    Permutations, Combinations, and the Binomial Theorem
    Generating Functions

    Discrete Probability and Simulation
    Introduction to Discrete Probability
    Random Numbers, Random Variables, and Basic Simulations

    Complexity of Algorithms
    Some Algorithms for Searching and Sorting
    Growth Rates of Functions and the Complexity of Algorithms

    Graphs, Trees, and Associated Algorithms
    Graph Concepts and Properties
    Paths Connectedness, and Distances in Graphs
    Trees

    Graph Traversal and Optimization Problems
    Graph Traversal Problems
    Tree Growing and Graph Optimization Algorithms
    Network Flows

    Randomized Search and Optimization Algorithms
    Randomized Search and Optimization: An Overview
    Genetic Algorithms

    Appendix A: Pseudo Code Dictionary
    Appendix B: Solutions to all Exercises for the Reader
    Appendix C: Answers/Brief Solutions to Odd Numbered Exercises

    References

    Index

    Biography

    Alexander Stanoyevitch is a professor at California State University–Dominguez Hills. He completed his doctorate in mathematical analysis at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and has held academic positions at the University of Hawaii and the University of Guam. Dr. Stanoyevitch has taught many upper-level classes to mathematics and computer science students, has published several articles in leading mathematical journals, and has been an invited speaker at numerous lectures and conferences in the United States, Europe, and Asia. His research interests include areas of both pure and applied mathematics.

    "… this textbook is excellent. The author clearly had put a lot of effort in presenting the topics clearly and as engaging as possible. His many years of teaching and mentoring clearly show. The more I read it through the more I like the book, especially how the exercises are so carefully selected and presented. For this reason alone, this book is worth keeping and using. …
    The topics covered should provide enough materials for two or even three semester courses.
    I heartily recommend this textbook and have been using it both in preparing teaching materials and in educating myself. …
    The level of difficulty makes this book suitable for undergraduate and beginning graduate students of mathematics and computer science."
    —IACR Book Reviews, September 2014

    "…this is the most physically readable textbook that I have seen in a long time. The print is clear and large … The text is readable, there are many examples and in many cases proofs of the theorems are included. A large number of exercises are provided and split into two categories, the traditional math problem and exercises to be performed on a computer. … The two most important courses in the computer science major are the first programming and discrete math classes. Each establishes a foundation of skills that will be repeatedly used throughout the major field of study and this book is an excellent text for the development of the needed skills in math."
    —Charles Ashbacher, MAA Reviews, March 2011