Proofs that Really Count: The Art of Combinatorial Proof (Dolciani Mathematical Expositions) - Hardcover

Arthur T. Benjamin; Jennifer Quinn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0883853337 ISBN 13: 9780883853337

Publisher: The Mathematical Association of America, 2003

Synopsis

Mathematics is the science of patterns, and mathematicians attempt to understand these patterns and discover new ones using a variety of tools. In Proofs That Really Count, award-winning math professors Arthur Benjamin and Jennifer Quinn demonstrate that many number patterns, even very complex ones, can be understood by simple counting arguments. The book emphasizes numbers that are often not thought of as numbers that count: Fibonacci Numbers, Lucas Numbers, Continued Fractions, and Harmonic Numbers, to name a few. Numerous hints and references are given for all chapter exercises and many chapters end with a list of identities in need of combinatorial proof. The extensive appendix of identities will be a valuable resource. This book should appeal to readers of all levels, from high school math students to professional mathematicians.

About this title

Book Description:

Award-winning math professors Arthur Benjamin and Jennifer Quinn demonstrate that many number patterns can be understood by simple counting arguments. Numerous hints and references are given for all exercises and the extensive appendix of identities will be a valuable resource. Ideal for readers from high school students to professional mathematicians.

About the Author:

Arthur T. Benjamin received his PhD in Mathematical Sciences from John Hopkins University. He is currently Professor and Chair of the Mathematics Department at Harvey Mudd College.

Jennifer J. Quinn received here PhD in Combinatorics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She is currently Associate Professor and Chair of the Mathematics Department at Occidental College.

About this edition

• Publisher: The Mathematical Association of America
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0883853337
• ISBN 13: 9780883853337
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 206