How a new mathematical field grew and matured in America Graph Theory in America focuses on the development of graph theory in North America from 1876 to 1976. At the beginning of this period, James Joseph Sylvester, perhaps the finest mathematician in the English-speaking world, took up his appointment as the first professor of mathematics at the Johns Hopkins University, where his inaugural lecture outlined connections between graph theory, algebra, and chemistry—shortly after, he introduced the word graph in our modern sense. A hundred years later, in 1976, graph theory witnessed the solution of the long-standing four color problem by Kenneth Appel and Wolfgang Haken of the University of Illinois. Tracing graph theory’s trajectory across its first century, this book looks at influential figures in the field, both familiar and less known. Whereas many of the featured mathematicians spent their entire careers working on problems in graph theory, a few such as Hassler Whitney started there and then moved to work in other areas. Others, such as C. S. Peirce, Oswald Veblen, and George Birkhoff, made excursions into graph theory while continuing their focus elsewhere. Between the main chapters, the book provides short contextual interludes, describing how the American university system developed and how graph theory was progressing in Europe. Brief summaries of specific publications that influenced the subject’s development are also included. Graph Theory in America tells how a remarkable area of mathematics landed on American soil, took root, and flourished.

The history, formulas, and most famous puzzles of graph theory Graph theory goes back several centuries and revolves around the study of graphs—mathematical structures showing relations between objects. With applications in biology, computer science, transportation science, and other areas, graph theory encompasses some of the most beautiful formulas in mathematics—and some of its most famous problems. The Fascinating World of Graph Theory explores the questions and puzzles that have been studied, and often solved, through graph theory. This book looks at graph theory's development and the vibrant individuals responsible for the field's growth. Introducing fundamental concepts, the authors explore a diverse plethora of classic problems such as the Lights Out Puzzle, and each chapter contains math exercises for readers to savor. An eye-opening journey into the world of graphs, The Fascinating World of Graph Theory offers exciting problem-solving possibilities for mathematics and beyond.

Graph theory is a fascinating and inviting branch of mathematics. Many problems are easy to state and have natural visual representations, inviting exploration by new students and professional mathematicians. The goal of this textbook is to present the fundamentals of graph theory to a wide range of readers. The book contains many significant recent results in graph theory, presented using up-to-date notation. The author included the shortest, most elegant, most intuitive proofs for modern and classic results while frequently presenting them in new ways. Major topics are introduced with practical applications that motivate their development, and which are illustrated with examples that show how to apply major theorems in practice. This includes the process of finding a brute force solution (case-checking) when an elegant solution is not apparent. With over 1200 exercises, internet resources (e.g., the OEIS for counting problems), helpful appendices, and a detailed guide to different course outlines, this book provides a versatile and convenient tool for the needs of instructors at a large variety of institutions.

Concisely written, gentle introduction to graph theory suitable as a textbook or for self-study Graph-theoretic applications from diverse fields (computer science, engineering, chemistry, management science) 2nd ed. includes new chapters on labeling and communications networks and small worlds, as well as expanded beginner's material Many additional changes, improvements, and corrections resulting from classroom use

Combining the features of a textbook with those of a problem workbook, this text for mathematics, computer science and engineering students presents a natural, friendly way to learn some of the essential ideas of graph theory. The material is explained using 360 strategically placed problems with connecting text, which is then supplemented by 280 additional homework problems. This problem-oriented format encourages active involvement by the reader while always giving clear direction. This approach is especially valuable with the presentation of proofs, which become more frequent and elaborate as the book progresses. Arguments are arranged in digestible chunks and always appear together with concrete examples to help remind the reader of the bigger picture. Topics include spanning tree algorithms, Euler paths, Hamilton paths and cycles, independence and covering, connections and obstructions, and vertex and edge colourings.

How a new mathematical field grew and matured in America Graph Theory in America focuses on the development of graph theory in North America from 1876 to 1976. At the beginning of this period, James Joseph Sylvester, perhaps the finest mathematician in the English-speaking world, took up his appointment as the first professor of mathematics at the Johns Hopkins University, where his inaugural lecture outlined connections between graph theory, algebra, and chemistry—shortly after, he introduced the word graph in our modern sense. A hundred years later, in 1976, graph theory witnessed the solution of the long-standing four color problem by Kenneth Appel and Wolfgang Haken of the University of Illinois. Tracing graph theory’s trajectory across its first century, this book looks at influential figures in the field, both familiar and less known. Whereas many of the featured mathematicians spent their entire careers working on problems in graph theory, a few such as Hassler Whitney started there and then moved to work in other areas. Others, such as C. S. Peirce, Oswald Veblen, and George Birkhoff, made excursions into graph theory while continuing their focus elsewhere. Between the main chapters, the book provides short contextual interludes, describing how the American university system developed and how graph theory was progressing in Europe. Brief summaries of specific publications that influenced the subject’s development are also included. Graph Theory in America tells how a remarkable area of mathematics landed on American soil, took root, and flourished.

Revised throughout Includes new chapters on the network simplex algorithm and a section on the five color theorem Recent developments are discussed