Discrete Mathematics: Mathematical Reasoning and Proof with Puzzles, Patterns, and Games (Hardcover)

~ (Author), J. Winston Crawley (Author)
Key Phrases: good subgraph, many ordered lists, many binary sequences, Selected Answers, Primer of Mathematical Writing, Trooper Jones (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Did you know that games and puzzles have given birth to many of today's deepest mathematical subjects? Now, with Douglas Ensley and Winston Crawley's Introduction to Discrete Mathematics, you can explore mathematical writing, abstract structures, counting, discrete probability, and graph theory, through games, puzzles, patterns, magic tricks, and real-world problems. You will discover how new mathematical topics can be applied to everyday situations, learn how to work with proofs, and develop your problem-solving skills along the way.

Online applications help improve your mathematical reasoning.
Highly intriguing, interactive Flash-based applications illustrate key mathematical concepts and help you develop your ability to reason mathematically, solve problems, and work with proofs. Explore More icons in the text direct you to online activities at www.wiley.com/college/ensley.

Improve your grade with the Student Solutions Manual.
A supplementary Student Solutions Manual contains more detailed solutions to selected exercises in the text.

From the Back Cover

Did you know that games and puzzles have given birth to many of today’s deepest mathematical subjects? Now, with Douglas Ensley and Winston Crawley’s Introduction to Discrete Mathematics, you can explore mathematical writing, abstract structures, counting, discrete probability, and graph theory, through games, puzzles, patterns, magic tricks, and real-world problems. You will discover how new mathematical topics can be applied to everyday situations, learn how to work with proofs, and develop your problem-solving skills along the way.

Online applications help improve your mathematical reasoning.
Highly intriguing, interactive Flash-based applications illustrate key mathematical concepts and help you develop your ability to reason mathematically, solve problems, and work with proofs. Explore More icons in the text direct you to online activities at www.wiley.com/college/ensley.

Improve your grade with the Student Solutions Manual.
A supplementary Student Solutions Manual contains more detailed solutions to selected exercises in the text.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 704 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (October 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471476021
• ISBN-13: 978-0471763802
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #456,855 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful problems and solutions, February 4, 2006

By	science-buff (Fremont, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This book is much less conventional than the other established texts for freshman or sophomore discrete math/computer science courses. It places more emphasis on math problem solving, and contains a wonderful selection of interesting and challenging problems based on puzzles and games.

My impression of reading through the book is the focus is more on establishing a solid foundation on mathematical reasoning; using discrete math puzzles and games as examples in achieving the goal. It also contains much less of boring computational/ algorithmic worked examples than regular texts. This makes the book immensely more useful for math enthusiats and high-school math competition contestants, in addition to its regular use in courses for math majors in universities. Computer science majors with a focus on algorithm and programming may feel the book has too much of a math-centric problem solving focus, and probably should look elsewhere.

Overall, a fascinating read; highly recommended.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars textbook order, September 22, 2009

By	Marianne Taylor-hicks "Marianne" (NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Book never arrived. Got my money back but had to start all over again with a different company and my daughter had no math book for 3 weeks. Contacted seller and got no response. Very unhappy.