ENGG 2440A: Discrete mathematics for engineers

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Fall 2014

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Course Description

This course is about mathematical models and techniques that are helpful for describing, analyzing, and solving problems in computer science. There will be much emphasis on proofs and rigorous reasoning.

To be successful in discrete mathematics, you will need to go beyond "recipes" for calculating answers and learn how to argue convincingly that your solution to a given problem is sensible.

Schedule

date topic readings
Sep 1 No class, Inauguration Ceremony
1Sep 2
Sep 8
Logic LLM §1; notes
Sep 9 No class, Mid Autumn Festival
2Sep 15
Sep 16
Proofs LLM §2; notes
Sep 22
Sep 23
No class
3Sep 29
Sep 30
Induction LLM §3; notes; code
4Oct 6
Oct 7
Number theory LLM §4; notes; code
5Oct 13
Oct 14
Graphs I LLM §5; notes
6Oct 20
Oct 21
Graphs II LLM §5, §6; notes
Oct 27
Oct 28
Midterm Exam
7Nov 3
Nov 4
Sums and asymptotics LLM §9; notes
8Nov 10
Nov 11
Recurrences LLM §10; notes
9Nov 17
Nov 18
Counting I LLM §7.2, §11; notes
10Nov 24
Nov 25
Counting II LLM §11; notes; code
11Dec 1
Dec 2
Polynomials notes; code
Dec 17
Final exam

Tutorials and homeworks

Homeworks will be issued every other week according to the following schedule:

Come to tutorial prepared. Your participation and the quality of your presentation will count towards your grade. If you cannot make it on any particular week, let your TA know in advance.

You are encouraged to collaborate on homeworks, but you must write up your own solutions and list your collaborators on the solution sheet. You will hand in the solutions to your TA at the beginning of Friday tutorial. No late submissions will be accepted. Please read the CUHK policy on honesty in academic work.

Discussion forums

You can use the ENGG 2440A discussion board on the CU e-learning system to ask questions and participate in online discussions related to the course.

Course Information

  • Lecture times Mon 9.30-11.15 and Tue 11.30-12.15 in Lady Shaw Building LT1.
  • Tutorials Tutorial attendance and participation will count towards your grade. You are required to attend the same tutorial section every week. The tutorial times are:
    • Chris's section, Fri 9.30-10.15 (F2), ERB 401
    • Peter's section, Fri 9.30-10.15 (F2), ERB 405
    • Zhou Hong's section, Fri 9.30-10.15 (F2), ERB 706
    • Ken's section, Fri 1.30-2.15 (F6), ERB 402
    • Gary's section, Fri 3.30-4.15 (F6), ERB 402

  • Textbook The primary reference for this course is Mathematics for Computer Science by Lehman, Leighton, and Meyer (LLM). Notes will be provided for material not covered in the textbook.
  • Grading Your grade will be determined from a midterm exam (25%), a final exam (40%), homework solutions (15%), and attendance, participation, and homework presentation (20%). You can verify our record of your grades on the CU e-learning system.