Introduction to Combinatorics

Praise for the First Edition
"This excellent text should prove a useful accoutrementfor any developing mathematics program . . . it's short,it's sweet, it's beautifully written."--The Mathematical Intelligencer
"Erickson has prepared an exemplary work . . . stronglyrecommended for inclusion in undergraduate-level librarycollections." --Choice
Featuring a modern approach, Introduction to Combinatorics,Second Edition illustrates the applicability of combinatorialmethods and discusses topics that are not typically addressed inliterature, such as Alcuin's sequence, Rook paths, andLeech's lattice. The book also presents fundamentalresults, discusses interconnection and problem-solving techniques,and collects and disseminates open problems that raise questionsand observations.
Many important combinatorial methods are revisited and repeatedseveral times throughout the book in exercises, examples, theorems,and proofs alike, allowing readers to build confidence andreinforce their understanding of complex material. In addition, theauthor successfully guides readers step-by-step through three majorachievements of combinatorics: Van der Waerden's theorem onarithmetic progressions, Pólya's graph enumerationformula, and Leech's 24-dimensional lattice. Along withupdated tables and references that reflect recent advances invarious areas, such as error-correcting codes and combinatorialdesigns, the Second Edition also features:
* Many new exercises to help readers understand and applycombinatorial techniques and ideas
* A deeper, investigative study of combinatorics throughexercises requiring the use of computer programs
* Over fifty new examples, ranging in level from routine toadvanced, that illustrate important combinatorial concepts
* Basic principles and theories in combinatorics as well as newand innovative results in the field
Introduction to Combinatorics, Second Edition is an idealtextbook for a one- or two-semester sequence in combinatorics,graph theory, and discrete mathematics at the upper-undergraduatelevel. The book is also an excellent reference for anyoneinterested in the various applications of elementarycombinatorics.