A Beginner's Guide to Graph Theory

Graph theory continues to be one of the fastest growing areas of modern mathematics because of its wide applicability in such diverse disciplines as computer science, engineering, chemistry, management science, social science, and resource planning. Graphs arise as mathematical models in these fields, and the theory of graphs provides a spectrum of methods of proof. This concisely written textbook is intended for an introductory course in graph theory for undergraduate mathematics majors or advanced undergraduate and graduate students from the many fields that benefit from graph-theoretic applications.

This second edition includes new chapters on labeling and communications networks and small-worlds, as well as expanded beginner's material in the early chapters, including more examples, exercises, hints and solutions to key problems. Many additional changes, improvements, and corrections resulting from classroom use and feedback have been added throughout. With a distinctly applied flavor, this gentle introduction to graph theory consists of carefully chosen topics to develop graph-theoretic reasoning for a mixed audience. Familiarity with the basic concepts of set theory, along with some background in matrices and algebra, and a little mathematical maturity are the only prerequisites.

• Addition
• Graph
• Sim
• combinatorics
• graph theory
• management science
• network engineering
• set theory
• matrix theory

From the reviews:

"Altogether the book gives a comprehensive introduction to graphs, their theory and their application…The use of the text is optimized when the exercises are solved. The obtained skills improve understanding of graph theory as well… It is very useful that the solutions of these exercises are collected in an appendix." (Simulation News Europe)

From the reviews of the second edition:

"This book is a gentle introduction to graph theory, presenting the main ideas and topics … . It is accessible to everyone … . This introductory book is addressed to a mixed audience – undergraduate mathematics majors, computer scientists, engineers … . this book is ideal as well for self-reading. The style is always concise and the essential techniques are well highlighted … . It is highly recommended to any student, or working scientist, wishing to explore for the first time this fascinating area of mathematics." (Fabio Mainardi, The Mathematical Association of America, August, 2009)

“This book is intended as an introductory course in Graph Theory, one of the fastest growing disciplines of modern Mathematics. … The book is nicely written, the presentation is comprehensible but at the same time mathematically precise. The text is supplemented with many figures, with historical notes to many topics and with many examples. … Summarizing, this is a nice book, useful not only as an introductory reading for ‘beginners’ in Graph Theory, but also for those who teach introductory courses in Graph Theory.” (Zdeněk Ryjáček, Mathematica Bohemica, Issue 2, 2010)

• Department of Mathematics, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA

  W. D. Wallis

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