A Beginner's Guide to Graph Theory [Hardcover]

W.D. Wallis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0817641769 | ISBN-13: 978-0817641764 | Edition: 1

This introduction to graph theory presents only those topics and material that are accessible to the true beginner in graph theory -- making the subject accessible to those in mathematics, computer science, engineering, and management science. The initial chapters cover the main ideas of graph theory and are followed by more specialized, application-oriented discussions. Featuring numerous examples, diagrams, illustrations, and exercises, this gentle introduction to graph theory has a distinctly applied flavor that will be welcomed by those new to the field.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Altogether the book gives a comprehensive introduction to graphs, their theory and their application…The use of the text is optimized when the exercises are solved. The obtained skills improve understanding of graph theory as well… It is very useful that the solutions of these exercises are collected in an appendix."  –Simulation News Europe

"Very appropriately entitled as a 'beginner's guide', this textbook presents itself as the first exposure to discrete mathematics and rigorous proof for the mathematics or computer science student of average ability in the first or second year of study at a North American university." ---Zentralblatt Math

From the Back Cover

Graph theory continues to be one of the fastest growing areas of modern mathematics because of its wide applicability in such diverse disciplines as computer science, engineering, chemistry, management science, social science, and resource planning. Graphs arise as mathematical models in these fields, and the theory of graphs provides a spectrum of methods of proof. This concisely written textbook is intended for an introductory course in graph theory for undergraduate mathematics majors or advanced undergraduate and graduate students from the many fields that benefit from graph-theoretic applications. Key features: * Introductory chapters present the main ideas and topics in graph theory—walks, paths and cycles, radius, diameter, eccentricity, cuts and connectivity, trees * Subsequent chapters examine specialized topics and applications * Numerous examples and illustrations * Comprehensive index and bibliography, with suggested literature for more advanced material New to the second edition: * New chapters on labeling and on communications networks and small-worlds * Expanded beginner’s material in the early chapters, including more examples, exercises, hints and solutions to key problems * Many additional changes, improvements, and corrections throughout resulting from classroom use and feedback Striking a balance between a theoretical and practical approach with a distinctly applied flavor, this gentle introduction to graph theory consists of carefully chosen topics to develop graph-theoretic reasoning for a mixed audience. Familiarity with the basic concepts of set theory, along with some background in matrices and algebra, and a little mathematical maturity are the only prerequisites. ----- From a review of the first edition: "Altogether the book gives a comprehensive introduction to graphs, their theory and their application…The use of the text is optimized when the exercises are solved. The obtained skills improve understanding of graph theory as well… It is very useful that the solutions of these exercises are collected in an appendix." —Simulation News Europe --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 252 pages
• Publisher: Birkhäuser Boston; 1 edition (June 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817641769
• ISBN-13: 978-0817641764
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,052,503 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Affordable but not accurate, September 13, 2002

By 

William Springer (Aurora, CO 80013) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Beginner's Guide to Graph Theory (Hardcover)

It's nice to have an affordable math book, and this one does give a good introduction to graph theory. Unfortunately, there are also mistakes (some of which REALLY should have been caught in proofreading) which could confuse someone attempting to learn graph theory from this book. (These are both in the text and in the answers provided for the problems, such as giving the wrong number for the length of a path)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars There are much better Graph Theory Books, August 22, 2007

By 

Stephan Hartwell "Stephan Hartwell" (Aurora, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Beginner's Guide to Graph Theory (Hardcover)

The errors in this text are unfortunate, and the presentation is not engaging. I did find that "A First look at Graph Theory" by Clark and Holton was useful and "Introduction to Graph Theory" by Chartrand and Zhang, was very readable.