Introduction to Combinatorics

Combinatorics is the mathematical study of the ways that groups of objects, e.g. students or coins, can be counted and organized. In the first two chapters, we focus on one of combinatoric's central concepts – counting methods. Counting may seem like a pretty trivial subject. Most of us learn to do it from a young age. When you look past the basics, however, there are plenty of no-trivial questions that we can ask like, "How many ways can you be dealt two of a kind in a poker hand?" or "How many different computer IP addresses are for connecting to the Internet?" In the last chapter, we switch directions and discuss the basics of sequences and series. The content of this book along with additional videos is available for free in an online classroom on the White Crane Education website. We've made this print version available for students who want a physical copy of the material.