McGraw-Hill, 1998 • 690 pages • hardcover • ISBN 0-07-018566-2

Written in an informal and converstional writing stlye, Introduction To Discrete Mathematics is the perfect text for your one- or two- term introductory course. Authors Wayne Dymacek and Henry Sharp employ a spiral approach to the presentation of ideas to refrain from introducing new definitions, concepts, or extentions, until they become critical to the understanding of current material. Beginning with very simple results and techniques, the material progresses in a gentle upward spiral of difficulty toward significant problem- solving and teorem-proving capability. The text also provides excellent flexiblity. It accomodates variations in student prepartion and ablity, as well as variations in course design, by includeing special discussions called "Complements" and a number if challenging problems in most problem sets for more advanced and highly motivated students.

 
Features
Tutorial Boxes-
are located at appropriate junctures in each section
and contain several questions which require a mix of
routine calculations with extensions or proofs.  
These boxes encourage students to think about and work
with ideas and techniques immediately after they are
presented andi llustrated, thus helping them prepare 
for new ideas to follow.
Complements-
are special discussions found in most sections that 
illstrate an important idea from that section, but at 
a level somewhat in advance of the main text
Historical Information-
about the major concepts and trends in mathematics, 
and the individuals responsible for them, is referenced 
where appropriate.
Section Overviews-
are found at the opening of each secction and provide 
students with a concise outoine of the mahor concepts 
to be introduced and/or discussed in that section.  Also
included is a list of key words that require careful study.
Problem Sets-
are included at the end of each section.  Problems range
in level of difficulty from routine conpytation to complex 
problem-solving and help students monitor their progress 
toward mastering technical skills and understanding ideas