How to Guard an Art Gallery and Other Discrete Mathematical Adventures

What is the maximum number of pizza slices one can get by making four straight cuts through a circular pizza? How does a computer determine the best set of pixels to represent a straight line on a computer screen? How many people at a minimum does it take to guard an art gallery?

Discrete mathematics has the answer to these -- and many other -- questions of picking, choosing, and shuffling. T. S. Michael's gem of a book brings this vital but tough-to-teach subject to life using examples from real life and popular culture. Each chapter uses one problem -- such as slicing a pizza -- to detail key concepts about counting numbers and arranging finite sets. Michael takes a different perspective in tackling each of eight problems and explains them in differing degrees of generality, showing in the process how the same mathematical concepts appear in varied guises and contexts. In doing so, he imparts a broader understanding of the ideas underlying discrete mathematics and helps readers appreciate and understand mathematical thinking and discovery.

This book explains the basic concepts of discrete mathematics and demonstrates how to apply them in largely nontechnical language. The explanations and formulas can be grasped with a basic understanding of linear equations.


Summary: A lively math guide for any general reader
Rating: 5

From the maximum number of pizza slices one can get by making four straight cuts through a circular pizza to stamps and additive number theory, distance formulas, ad more, How to Guard An Art Gallery and Other Discrete Mathematical Adventures packs in key links between math concepts, formulas, and everyday puzzles and will pre libraries with a lively math guide for any general reader.


Summary: Wonderful Selection
Rating: 5

Fantastic read. While definitely in "largely nontechnical language," it may be too complex for some. Anyone with decent mathematical intuition will greatly enjoy the book- not too simple, not overly complicated. The problems are interesting and provocative real-world "riddles", ie problems non-mathematicians can actually relate to (as opposed to strictly theoretical pure mathematics problems). Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the applications of discrete mathematics.

-Applied Mathematics and Statistics Student.