EECS-1019C: Welcome!

Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science

Parke Godfrey

http://www.eecs.yorku.ca/course/1019/

Discrete Mathematics for CS

Why study this?

• physics : civil engineering ::

  ? : computer science

• logic : computer science

• Do I have to be good at logic then to be good at computer science?

• • We don't have to be brilliant.

    We have to be competent.

  • It offers tools that help us to more easily think about algorithms, programs, & systems.

Discrete Mathematics for CS

Why study this?

• We humans are not logical.

  • So far, we cannot teach “computers” to think like humans.

  • So, we have to learn how to “think” as they do.

• Is everything computer science about logic, discrete mathematics, and proofs?!

  • Hardly!

  • But we have to master these foundational tools to be able to do the fun stuff!

Discrete Mathematics for CS

What is “Discrete”?

• We don't tell anyone!

• No, it is a focus on discrete rather than continuous.

  • propositional & predicate logic

  • set theory

  • counting & combinatorics

  • proof techniques

  • ...

Discrete Mathematics for CS

Is this class hard?

• For some, it will be.

• For most, it need not be.

• It is fast paced — that is its nature.

• You need to be very diligent to keep on top of it.

• It is my job to help you succeed.