sarah-marie belcastro is a free-range mathematician who works primarily in topological graph theory. She enjoys connecting people to each other, connecting ideas to each other, and connecting people to ideas. Among her many non-pure-mathematics interests are the mathematics of knitting, pharmacokinetics, dance (principally ballet and modern), and changing the world. sarah-marie did her undergraduate work at Haverford College and her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan. She currently directs the summer program MathILy.

Discrete Mathematics with Ducks is a gentle introduction for students who find the proofs and abstractions of mathematics challenging. At the same time, it provides stimulating material, which instructors can use for more advanced students. The new edition continues to facilitate effective and active learning through problem-based activities.

Preface for Instructors and Other Teachers

Preface for Students and Other Learners

Theme: The Basics

1 Counting and Proofs

2 Sets and Logic

3 Graphics and Functions

4 Induction

5 Algorithms with Ciphers

Theme I Supplement

6 Binomial Coefficients and Pascal's Triangle

7 Balls and Boxes and PIE: Counting Techniques

8 Recurrences

9 Cutting Up Food: Counting and Geometry

III Theme: Graph Theory

10 Trees

11 Euler's Formula and Applications

12 Graph Traversals

13 Graph Coloring

Theme III Supplement: Problems on the Theme of Graph Theory

IV Other Material

14 Probability and Expectation

15 Fun with Cardinality

16 Number Theory

17 Computational Complexity

A Solutions to Check Yourself Problems

B Solutions to Bonus Check-Yourself Problems

C The Greek Alphabet and Some Uses for Some Letters

D List of Symbols

Bibliography

Index