Beginner's Guide to Finite Mathematics

When elementary courses in discrete and combinatorial mathematics first became popular, they usually covered a broad spectrumofpure and applied topics. Most of the students were in Mathematics and Computer Science, with a handful ofbrave souls from other disciplines. Those other students usually found the courses quite difficult. However, the applications were useful in a numberofareas. The teaching of discrete topics has evolved into two streams. The more math- ematical parts are studied in courses called Discrete Mathematics, and more ad- vanced, more rigorous courses called Combinatorics, or named for specific areas (Graph Theory, Combinatorial Designs, Cryptography, and so on). Introductions to those areas of applicable discrete mathematics used by students in business, management and the social sciences are usually called Finite Mathematics, and e1ementary courses on this material are now standard at many colleges and uni- versities.These courses are typically offered at the freshman level although many students take them later in their careers.