Publisher's Synopsis
This textbook introduces the subject of combinatorics from basic elementary theory to advanced applications. Each section is preceded by a set of problems, which highlights the subsequent development of concepts and techniques.;Polya's enumeration theory and its ramifications are discussed in detail. As part of the development of Schur functions, a self-contained account of the character theory of the symmetric group is given.;The book contains most of the specialized mathematical prerequisites for combinatorial theory. The aim of the text is to teach students the necessary elements of group theory and the terminology of abstract algebra as well as the character theory of finite groups. In addition, all the standard topics, such as basic combinatorial numbers, inclusion and exclusion principles, generating functions, combinatorial designs and inversion techniques are covered in depth.
