benaloh@theory.toronto.edu (Josh Benaloh) (05/24/89)
This summer we are planning a summer seminar series on mathematical methods. We will work from the new Graham, Knuth, and Patashnik book on "Concrete Mathematics" and possibly from other sources such as Grimaldi's book. We would like this to be an informal working seminar along the lines of the combinatorics seminar run by Faith and Prabhakar last summer. We plan to meet on Mondays at 11:00 to give short (~30 minute) presentations of new material and to give out problems and again on Fridays at 1:30 to go over solutions. (This way, missing individual weeks will be possible.) All meetings will be in SF4103 (except for the two week period from July 24 through August 4 when we'll meet in SF1102). The topics to be covered may include Generating Functions Basic methods Use in binomial coefficients Use in recurrences Special uses Probability generating functions More on Binomial Coefficients More on Solving Recurrences Harmonic Numbers and Summations Asymptotic Manipulation Difference Calculus I'll give a short introductary session this coming Monday (May 29) at 11am in SF4103. Valarie, Faith, Naomi, and Bruce are scheduled to give subsequent sessions. Volunteers to present later topics will also be sought. Josh