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I am interested in studying computer science after I graduate, and I am aware that, based on your occupation, it can be a math heavy field. I've looking into discrete mathematics, and am interested in what the basis of it is. Also, if anyone has any experience, could you recommend any books for studying?

CaptainAmerica16
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  • It's not clear what you are asking. – Jair Taylor Apr 19 '18 at 18:46
  • After you graduate college? High school? – saulspatz Apr 19 '18 at 18:49
  • Can you explain more what you mean by "basis"? – wgrenard Apr 19 '18 at 18:53
  • Yeah, I mean high school. I have a few years left. By basis, I mean like is it based very strongly in Algebra, calculus, etc.(I know Algebra and Calculus are closely related) I'm trying to get an understanding of why it's considered fundamental to Computer Science. – CaptainAmerica16 Apr 19 '18 at 20:28
  • @CaptainAmerica16 What if discrete math is the "basis" of those other things? – Derek Elkins left SE Apr 20 '18 at 02:19
  • Are you being serious? Does that have something to do with it be called 'discrete' math? – CaptainAmerica16 Apr 20 '18 at 02:49
  • If you are being serious, could you expand on that explanation? – CaptainAmerica16 Apr 20 '18 at 02:50
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    @CaptainAmerica16 I'm being semi-serious. Topics that are touched on in discrete math or closely related fields such as formal logic, (finite) set theory, and computation itself are very close to foundational concerns. You could also make a pretty strong, if somewhat heterodox, case that computation or formal logic is the "basis" for all math. I am, though, poking a bit of fun at the common linear conception of mathematics. It is better to view it as a web of ideas and perspectives. Also polynomials with real coefficients, say, are vastly more complicated things than, say, finite graphs. – Derek Elkins left SE Apr 20 '18 at 03:07
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    At any rate, it definitely is the case that most concepts in discrete mathematics do not necessarily rely on algebra or calculus, though both of these tools definitely can be applied to discrete math. Discrete math can, in turn, be applied to them for example by taking a syntactic view of polynomials or calculus expressions. – Derek Elkins left SE Apr 20 '18 at 03:11
  • Thanks for the reply! This was actually very helpful. As for the question about the books for studying, I'll just refer to the linked question. – CaptainAmerica16 Apr 20 '18 at 03:51
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    The last thing I will say is "discrete math" isn't really a field. The term usually refers to university courses that are more of a sampler of various other fields that are useful for theoretical computer science. Most of the fields touched upon are huge fields on their own, e.g. logic, proof theory, number theory, combinatorics, probability theory, set theory, graph theory. There aren't really "discrete mathematicians" but there are definitely logicians, graph theorists, and set theorists. – Derek Elkins left SE Apr 20 '18 at 05:51

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Elementary logic, elementary set theory, formal arithmetic (developed from Peano axioms), some basic "structures": order, graphs, etc.

Mauro ALLEGRANZA
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