I'm a student
I'm an educator
Request full copy

Concrete Mathematics: A Foundation for Computer Science, 2nd edition

Published by Addison-Wesley Professional (February 28, 1994) © 1994

  • Ronald L. Graham
  • Donald E. Knuth
  • Oren Patashnik

eTextbook

$85.99

  • Available for purchase from all major ebook resellers, including InformIT.com.
  • To request a review copy, click on the "Request a Review Copy" button.
$71.99

  • A print text (hardcover or paperback) 
  • Free shipping
  • Also available for purchase as an ebook from all major ebook resellers, including InformIT.com

Concrete Mathematics is a blending of CONtinuous and disCRETE mathematics.

"More concretely," the authors explain, "it is the controlled manipulation of mathematical formulas, using a collection of techniques for solving problems."

The subject matter is primarily an expansion of the Mathematical Preliminaries section in Knuth's classic Art of Computer Programming, but the style of presentation is more leisurely, and individual topics are covered more deeply. Several new topics have been added, and the most significant ideas have been traced to their historical roots. The book includes more than 500 exercises, divided into six categories. Complete answers are provided for all exercises, except research problems, making the book particularly valuable for self-study.

Major topics include:

  • Sums
  • Recurrences
  • Integer functions
  • Elementary number theory
  • Binomial coefficients
  • Generating functions
  • Discrete probability
  • Asymptotic methods

The full text downloaded to your computer

With eBooks you can:

  • search for key concepts, words and phrases
  • make highlights and notes as you study
  • share your notes with friends

eBooks are downloaded to your computer and accessible either offline through the Bookshelf (available as a free download), available online and also via the iPad and Android apps.

Upon purchase, you'll gain instant access to this eBook.

  • 1. Recurrent Problems.
  • 2. Sums.
  • 3. Integer Functions.
  • 4. Number Theory.
  • 5. Binomial Coefficients.
  • 6. Special Numbers.
  • 7. Generating Functions.
  • 8. Discrete Probability.
  • 9. Asymptotics.
  • A. Answers to Exercises.
  • B. Bibliography.
  • C. Credits for Exercises.
  • Index.
Ronald L. Graham (1935–2020) was for many years the Chief Scientist at AT&T Labs Research. He was also a Professor of Computer and Information Science at the University of California, San Diego, and a former President of the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America. He was the coauthor of seven other mathematics books.
Donald E. Knuth is Professor Emeritus of The Art of Computer Programming at Stanford University. His prolific writings include four volumes on The Art of Computer Programming, and five books related to his TEX and METAFONT typesetting systems.
Oren Patashnik is a member of the research staff at the Center for Communications Research, La Jolla, California. He is also the author of BibTEX, a widely used bibliography processor.

Need help? Get in touch

Video
Play
Privacy and cookies
By watching, you agree Pearson can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

Video transcript (PDF | 16KB) 

Pearson eTextbook: What’s on the inside just might surprise you

They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. It’s the same with your students. Meet each one right where they are with an engaging, interactive, personalized learning experience that goes beyond the textbook to fit any schedule, any budget, and any lifestyle. 

Digital Learning NOW

Extend your professional development and meet your students where they are with free weekly Digital Learning NOW webinars. Attend live, watch on-demand, or listen at your leisure to expand your teaching strategies. Earn digital professional development badges for attending a live session.

Explore webinars