You may have to Search all our reviewed books and magazines, click the sign up button below to create a free account.
Asymptotics in one form or another are part of the landscape for every mathematician. The objective of this book is to present the ideas of how to approach asymptotic problems that arise in discrete mathematics, analysis of algorithms, and number theory. A broad range of topics is covered, including distribution of prime integers, Erdős Magic, random graphs, Ramsey numbers, and asymptotic geometry. The author is a disciple of Paul Erdős, who taught him about Asymptopia. Primes less than , graphs with vertices, random walks of steps--Erdős was fascinated by the limiting behavior as the variables approached, but never reached, infinity. Asymptotics is very much an art. The various functions , , , , all have distinct personalities. Erdős knew these functions as personal friends. It is the author's hope that these insights may be passed on, that the reader may similarly feel which function has the right temperament for a given task. This book is aimed at strong undergraduates, though it is also suitable for particularly good high school students or for graduates wanting to learn some basic techniques. Asymptopia is a beautiful world. Enjoy!
Praise for the Third Edition “Researchers of any kind of extremal combinatorics or theoretical computer science will welcome the new edition of this book.” - MAA Reviews Maintaining a standard of excellence that establishes The Probabilistic Method as the leading reference on probabilistic methods in combinatorics, the Fourth Edition continues to feature a clear writing style, illustrative examples, and illuminating exercises. The new edition includes numerous updates to reflect the most recent developments and advances in discrete mathematics and the connections to other areas in mathematics, theoretical computer science, and statistical physics. Emphasizing the methodology and techniqu...
The study of random graphs was begun in the 1960s and now has a comprehensive literature. This excellent book by one of the top researchers in the field now joins the study of random graphs (and other random discrete objects) with mathematical logic. The methodologies involve probability, discrete structures and logic, with an emphasis on discrete structures.
This update of the 1987 title of the same name is an examination of what is currently known about the probabilistic method, written by one of its principal developers. Based on the notes from Spencer's 1986 series of ten lectures, this new edition contains an additional lecture: The Janson inequalities. These inequalities allow accurate approximation of extremely small probabilities. A new algorithmic approach to the Lovasz Local Lemma, attributed to Jozsef Beck, has been added to Lecture 8, as well. Throughout the monograph, Spencer retains the informal style of his original lecture notes and emphasizes the methodology, shunning the more technical "best possible" results in favor of clearer exposition. The book is not encyclopedic--it contains only those examples that clearly display the methodology. The probabilistic method is a powerful tool in graph theory, combinatorics, and theoretical computer science. It allows one to prove the existence of objects with certain properties (e.g., colorings) by showing that an appropriately defined random object has positive probability of having those properties.
Praise for the First Edition "Anyone interested in getting an introduction to Ramsey theorywill find this illuminating..." --MAA Reviews Covering all the major concepts, proofs, and theorems, theSecond Edition of Ramsey Theory is the ultimate guideto understanding every aspect of Shelah's proof, as well asthe original proof of van der Waerden. The book offers a historicalperspective of Ramsey's fundamental paper from 1930 andErdos' and Szekeres' article from 1935, while placingthe various theorems in the context of T. S. Motzkin'sthought on the subject of "Complete Disorder isImpossible." Ramsey Theory, Second Edition includes new and excitingcoverage of Graph Ramsey Theory and Euclidean Ram...
Praise for the Second Edition: "Serious researchers in combinatorics or algorithm design will wish to read the book in its entirety...the book may also be enjoyed on a lighter level since the different chapters are largely independent and so it is possible to pick out gems in one's own area..." —Formal Aspects of Computing This Third Edition of The Probabilistic Method reflects the most recent developments in the field while maintaining the standard of excellence that established this book as the leading reference on probabilistic methods in combinatorics. Maintaining its clear writing style, illustrative examples, and practical exercises, this new edition emphasizes methodology, enabling ...
H is for Hummus by Joel Rickett and Spencer Wilson - a perfectly middle-class ABC A is for Apple, B is for Bear, C is for Cat... Z is for zzzzzz. Traditional ABC books just don't reflect the busy lives of today's toddlers. Far more useful to learn that A is for Allergy, B is for Babyccino, and C is for Controlled Crying. All the pain and joy of modern parenting is packed into this delightfully silly, beautifully illustrated ABC. From Active Birthing through to Zumba, H is for Hummus is a refreshingly honest read for fans of Go the F**k to Sleep and The Middle Class ABC, as well as sleep-deprived parents everywhere. Joel Rickett is a publisher and a (very) occasional writer. His previous book...
There has been an explosive growth in the field of combinatorial algorithms. These algorithms depend not only on results in combinatorics and especially in graph theory, but also on the development of new data structures and new techniques for analyzing algorithms. Four classical problems in network optimization are covered in detail, including a development of the data structures they use and an analysis of their running time. Data Structures and Network Algorithms attempts to provide the reader with both a practical understanding of the algorithms, described to facilitate their easy implementation, and an appreciation of the depth and beauty of the field of graph algorithms.
A marathon runner and writer for The Simpsons offers sage advice for those who want to push their limits . . . even if they lag behind everyone else. In How to Lose a Marathon, Joel Cohen takes readers on a step-by-step journey from being a couch potato to becoming a couch potato who can finish a marathon. Through a hilarious combination of running tips, narrative, illustrations, and infographics, Cohen breaks down the misery that is forcing yourself to run. From the agony of chafing to the best times to run, explaining the phenomenon known as the “Oprah Line,” and exposing the torture that is a premarathon expo, Cohen acts as your satirical guide to every aspect of the runner’s experience. Offering both real advice and genuine commiseration with runners of all skill levels, How to Lose a Marathon lets you know that even if you believe that the “runner’s high” is a complete myth, you can still survive all 26.2 miles of a marathon.
Indiscrete Thoughts gives a glimpse into a world that has seldom been described - that of science and technology as seen through the eyes of a mathematician. The era covered by this book, 1950 to 1990, was surely one of the golden ages of science and of the American university. Cherished myths are debunked along the way as Gian-Carlo Rota takes pleasure in portraying, warts and all, some of the great scientific personalities of the period. Rota is not afraid of controversy. Some readers may even consider these essays indiscreet. This beautifully written book is destined to become an instant classic and the subject of debate for decades to come.