Affordable Math Book for Beginners

Overview

• Book Title: Introductory Discrete Mathematics
• Author: VK Balakrishnan
• Type: Dover reprint (affordable)
• Target Audience: Beginners in mathematics, especially for those studying Computer Science

Book Features

• Availability: Easily accessible and affordable
• Readability: While not the easiest, it is considered good for self-study
• Format: Paperback, which is convenient for reading in bed
• Content Structure: Content is concise and covers essential topics

Content Breakdown

• Set Theory and Logic:
  • Basics of set theory introduced
  • Definitions highlighted in bold
• Combinatorics:
  • Counting rules, permutations, combinations
  • Pigeonhole principle, inclusion-exclusion principle
• Generating Functions and Recurrence Relations:
  • Tools for solving counting problems
• Graphs and Digraphs:
  • Introduction to graph theory, trees, and their applications
  • Topics like spanning tree problems and shortest path problems

Exercises and Learning Approach

• Exercises appear at the end of each chapter
• Answers are provided for selected exercises (odd-numbered ones)
• Allows readers to engage with the material actively

Teaching Style

• Encourages working through challenging sections and moving on if stuck
• Maximizes learning time through structured reading

Recommendations

• Suitable as a supplement for college-level discrete mathematics courses
• Good for pre-college students interested in mathematics or computer science
• Author recognized for quality mathematics texts

Additional Resources

• Author has other mathematics books worth exploring
• Courses available on Math Sourcer and Udemy
• Follow the YouTube channel "The Internet Sourcer" for more math-related content

Conclusion

• Overall, a highly recommended book for those interested in learning discrete mathematics
• Valuable addition to any mathematics library
• Personal endorsement from the presenter, who has used the book for over a decade