Introduction to Graph Theory (4th Edition) (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: discrete matroid, graph that remains, disconnecting set, Repeat Exercise, Verify Corollary, Use Theorem (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Provides a basic foundation on trees, algorithms, Eulerian and Hamilton graphs, planar graphs and coloring, with special reference to four color theorem. Discusses directed graphs and transversal theory and related these areas to Markov chains and network flows. Paper.

From the Back Cover

Graph Theory has recently emerged as a subject in its own right, as well as being an important mathematical tool in such diverse subjects as operational research, chemistry, sociology and genetics. Robin Wilson's book has been widely used as a text for undergraduate courses in mathematics, computer science and economics, and as a readable introduction to the subject for non-mathematicians.

The opening chapters provide a basic foundation course, containing such topics as trees, algorithms, Eulerian and Hamiltonian graphs, planar graphs and colouring, with special reference to the four-colour theorem. Following these, there are two chapters on directed graphs and transversal theory, relating these areas to such subjects as Markov chains and network flows. Finally, there is a chapter on matroid theory, which is used to consolidate some of the material from earlier chapters.

For this new edition, the text has been completely revised, and there is a full range of exercises of varying difficulty. There is new material on algorithms, tree-searches, and graph-theoretical puzzles. Full solutions are provided for many of the exercises.

Robin Wilson is Dean and Director of Studies in the Faculty of Mathematics and Computing at the Open University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley; 4 edition (May 2, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0582249937
• ISBN-13: 978-0582249936
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #972,915 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introductory text!!, January 31, 1999

By A Customer

A great -and gentle - introduction to Graph Theory... clear definitions and examples, great figures, useful exercises, and even some clever quotes. Everything you could ask for - if only all texts were this clear and well-organized. This was my first foray into the topic, and Wilson's text made it enjoyable.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Charming introduction, May 26, 2005

By	JVB - See all my reviews

This author has a charming writing style, although he suffers from a mathematician's sense of humor. A light introduction to graph theory, suitable for a beginning undergraduate student. Nothing is covered particularly in-depth, and the more difficult proofs are passed over and left to the reader to find and master. The exercises are very important--many of the most important theorems are hidden in there. This text is suitable for independent study, although an advisor would be helpful simply because the theorems hidden in the exercises make you want to have your homework checked.
A further note on proofs: many of those that the author does include are constructionist, and seem to involve a lot of hand-waving. There are very few rigorous proofs, and a teacher using this book should instruct his or her students in the more formal approach to graph theory proofs. This text could benefit from including more.

On the whole: nice diagrams, good notation, good order of material, and very accessible.

I read this text during an undergraduate combinatorics course after having taken a semester of introductory graph theory.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The worst book in graph theory, December 18, 2003

By	John (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

I have found this book difficult to read because of its lack of examples and theorems.Many famous examples and theorems are left as exercises.Many of them are too difficult for a beginner.The book just state some basic defintion and theorem without examples, and even some proofs of the theorems are not complete.Many algorithms are skipped or illustrated badly.I can give no reason for the beginner to buy this book. I would suggest the reader to see "A first Look At Graph Theory" by John O. Clark