Mathematics 454: Combinatorial Theory

Rutgers University, Fall 2012

Anders Buch (asbuch at math dot rutgers period edu)

TTh5, Tuesday and Thursday 3:20 PM - 4:40 PM in SEC-212


Course web site:

http://sites.math.rutgers.edu/~asbuch/combin_f12/

Text:

F. Roberts & B. Tesman; Applied Combinatorics, 2nd edition.
Tentative syllabus.

Office Hours:

Tuesday 4:40 - 5:30 PM and Wednesday 1:00 - 2:00 PM in Hill 234.

Grading:

Midterm, Thursday November 1 in class, 30%
Final exam, Friday December 14, 9-11 AM, 50%
Weekly Homeworks, 20% total. (A drop-two-lowest policy is in effect.)

Final Information:

The final exam will cover chapter 1 (all sections), chapter 2 (all sections except 2.12 and 2.15), chapter 3 (3.1-3.5), chapter 5 (5.1-5.6), chapter 6 (6.1-6.3), and chapter 9 (9.1-9.3).

The final will be a closed book exam. All tables must be empty. You are allowed to use a pen and wear your (ordinary) watch.

To prepare, read and understand the covered sections. Make sure you know how to do the homework problems, practice midterm, midterm, and practice problems for 9.3 (see below).

As agreed in class, the midterm will be 2 hours, 9-11 am, and will have 14 problems, with a drop-two-lowest grading policy.

Notes for review in class on Tuesday: page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4.

Practice midterm

Practice midterm solutions: page 1, page 2, page 3.

Midterm approximate grades:
F < 40 ≤ D < 50 ≤ C < 59 ≤ B < 69 ≤ A

Midterm solutions: page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4, page 5, page 6, page 7, page 8.

Homework Policy:

1) Late homework is not accepted.

2) It is fine to discuss the problems with others, but writeups must be individual. If you have received help for solving a problem, then cite your source(s).

3) It is acceptable to submit homework by email if these instructions are followed.

Homework assignments will appear on the course web site.

Assigned homework sets:

Homework set 1 due September 20 in class.
Homework set 2 due September 27 in class.
Homework set 3 due October 4 in class.
Homework set 4 due October 11 in class.
Homework set 5 due October 18 in class.
Homework set 6 due October 25 in class. (Full text version, thanks to W. Zhao.)
Homework set 7 due November 15 in class. (Full text version)
Homework set 8 due November 29 in class. (Full text version), Solution to last problem.
Homework set 9 due December 6 in class (Full text version).
Practice problems for section 9.3 (solutions).