Discrete Mathematics – An Open Introduction, 4th edition (discrete.openmathbooks.org)

Article summary

The 4th edition of the open-source textbook 'Discrete Mathematics: An Open Introduction' is now available, offering a free and interactive online ebook, as well as a downloadable PDF version. The book is suitable for a first or second year undergraduate course for math and computer science majors. It covers topics such as logic, graph theory, counting, and sequences, with a stronger emphasis on discrete structures. The book also includes interactive exercises and online homework sets.

Main themes

• Discrete Mathematics
• Open-source textbooks
• Math education
• Interactive learning
• Computer science
• Online resources

What commenters say

• Some commenters appreciate the book's interactive approach and the availability of solutions to exercises, which can aid in learning and understanding of discrete mathematics concepts.
• Others argue that not providing solutions is a common practice in math textbooks, and that learners should engage more actively with the material by trying to prove or justify each statement.
• There is a disagreement on the effectiveness of using language models like ChatGPT as a learning assistant, with some finding it helpful and others warning about potential errors and hallucinations.
• Some learners prefer a more traditional approach to learning math, with solved problems and solution manuals, to help build muscle memory and improve understanding.
• The use of online resources, such as mathacademy.com, can be a helpful supplement to traditional learning methods, providing interactive lessons and problem sets.
• There is a debate on the best way to learn math, with some advocating for a more active and engaged approach, and others preferring a more traditional and structured method.
• The importance of feedback and external validation is highlighted, with some commenters noting that it can be difficult to learn without knowing whether one's solutions are correct or not.
• The role of teachers and instructors in providing guidance and support is also discussed, with some commenters expressing appreciation for the efforts of teachers and others criticizing the lack of solutions and support in some textbooks.