Math 475: Introduction to Combinatorics

Spring 2006

taught by Prof. James Propp

We will use Richard Brualdi's "Introductory Combinatorics" (4th edition, 2004) as our textbook. We will focus on Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 14. I have put a description of course logistics on a separate web-page. There is also a page containing links to lesson plans; these plans don't capture everything that goes on in class, but you may find them useful as reminders of what was covered in class (especially those bits that aren't in the textbook).

For Thursday, January 19: Read chapter 1, sections 1 through 5.

For Tuesday, January 24: Read chapter 2, sections 1 through 2.

For Thursday, January 26: Read chapter 3, sections 1 and 2.

For Thursday, January 26: Do problem set #1. (Here are the solutions.)

For Tuesday, January 31: Re-read chapter 3, section 2.

For Thursday, February 2: Read chapter 3, section 3.

For Thursday, February 2: Do problem set #2. (Here are the solutions.)

For Tuesday, February 7: Read chapter 3, section 4.

For Thursday, February 9: Read chapter 3, section 5.

For Thursday, February 9: Do problem set #3. (Here are the solutions.)

For Tuesday, February 14: Read chapter 5, section 1.

For Thursday, February 16: Read chapter 5, section 2.

For Thursday, February 16: Do problem set #4. Note that this assignment has two pages. (Here are the solutions.)

For Tuesday, February 21: Finish chapter 5, section 2.

For Thursday, February 23: Read chapter 5, sections 3, 5, and 6.

For Thursday, February 23: Do problem set #5. (Here are the solutions.)

For Tuesday, February 28: Read chapter 6, section 1.

For Thursday, March 2: Read chapter 6, section 2.

For Thursday, March 2: Do problem set #6. (Here are the solutions.)

For Thursday, March 9: Read chapter 6, section 3.

Here are the problems and solutions for the midterm.

For Tuesday, March 21: Read chapter 7, section 1.

For Thursday, March 23: Read chapter 7, section 2.

For Thursday, March 23: Do problem set #7. (Here are the solutions.)

For Tuesday, March 28: Read chapter 7, section 3.

For Thursday, March 30: Read chapter 7, section 4.

For Thursday, March 30: Do problem set #8. (Here are the solutions.)

For Tuesday, April 4: Read chapter 7, section 5.

For Thursday, April 6: Read chapter 7, sections 6 and 7.

For Thursday, April 6: Do problem set #9. (Here are the solutions.)

For Tuesday, April 11: Read chapter 8, section 1.

For Thursday, April 13: Read chapter 8, section 2.

For Thursday, April 13: Do problem set #10. (Here are the solutions.)

For Tuesday, April 18: Read chapter 8, section 2.

For Thursday, April 20: Read chapter 8, section 3.

For Thursday, April 20: Do problem set #11. (Here are the solutions.)

For Tuesday, April 25: Read chapter 14, section 1. (If you prefer, you can read the handout distributed in class; if you need a copy, please send me email.)

For Thursday, April 27: Read chapter 14, section 2.

For Thursday, April 27: Do problem set #12. (Here are the solutions.)

For Thursday, May 4: Do problem set #13. (Here are the solutions.)

Here are the problems and solutions for the final.