Mathematics 161 Discrete Mathematics I

Syllabus

Fall 1996

Instructor:

Brian L. Stuart

Office:

Math 419

Office Phone:

726-3725

Office Hours:

8:00-9:00 Monday through Friday, 1:00-3:00 Tuesday and Wednesday These are times when I pretty much certain to be there, but you are free to drop in any time or to make an appointment.

Text:

Discrete and Combinatorial Mathematics: An Applied Introduction by Ralph P. Grimaldi.

Objectives:

The subject of Discrete Mathematics is in many ways complementary to the traditional introduction to mathematics at the college level, namely Calculus. In Discrete, we won't be concerned with continuous functions, maxima or minima or any of a number of issues from analysis. Instead we look at questions like ``how many ways are there to arrange the colors on a Rubik's cube?'' ``How do we know if a mathematical arguments is sound?'' ``How do we know that every number has a unique prime factorization or that the square root of 2 is irrational?'' In a very real sense, this course will develop in you the skills and the sense of what mathematical thought is all about. Along the way we'll also pick up techniques that are useful when solving problems in both mathematics and computer science.

List of Topics:

Below is a list of topics, found in Chapters 1-9 of the text, to be covered during this course.

• Principles of Counting
• Logic
• Set Theory
• Mathematical Induction
• Relations and Functions
• Formal Languages and Finite State Machines
• Generating Functions

Grading:

There will be two exams during the term and a final in this class. There will also be two written (or programming) projects. The breakdown for these elements is as follows:

First Mid-Term Exam         20%
Second Mid-Term Exam        20%
Final Exam                  25%
First Written Assignment    15%
Second Written Assignment   20%

A substantial number of homework problems will also be assigned. While I won't be taking them up and grading them, I will be expecting all of you to do some problems on the board from time to time. These assigned problems are also critical study material for the exams. If you make a habit of skipping on the days when you are to put up a problem or of not doing the problems ahead of time, your grade will be adversely affected.

All work will be conducted according to Rhodes' Honor Code.