Graph Theory Homework Information

Text:		Introduction to Graph Theory
Authors:	Gary Chartrand and Ping Zhang
Publisher:	McGraw-Hill [ ISBN: 0-07-294862-0 ]
 
	1. First, given that I have decided to use a text to teach
this course,  reading the assigned sections carefully is critical.  Do not
expect that lecture content will ever substitute for the text.  There
really is only a limited amount of lecture time available, and ultimately
you really only learn what you discover and teach yourself.
	How the reading is done is important, and more than one
time through each section is probably desirable.  Start by reading through
an assigned section as you would read a novel, say, a light mystery or
romance, or sci-fi thriller: once over lightly.  [This should be done
as part of the "reading ahead" that is indicated in the itinerary.]  Your
goal should be to survey the forest without initially worrying about
details.  In subsequent reading(s) dig for and fill in details, including
those omitted by the authors as "routine" and "obvious".  A handy legal
pad helps.  [You might also consider wondering about the origin of the
theorem, etc., at hand.  Why/how did the discoverer trip over the beast?]

[There is another way to read mathematics texts that is related to the
"Moore Method" that builds more muscle, but since it is only for those
with a very high tolerance for frustration, I won't discuss it now.]

	2. Within the homework sections that are assigned,
seriously attempt as many of the odd numbered exercises as you are
able.  Do not attempt them until you have done the required reading of
the section.  Realize that for some of the problems you may have to spend
significant time in puzzling out just what the structural elements are
that are critical to a correct solution or proof.  Look at the answers and
hints for the odd numbered problems only after you have honestly spent
time thinking and puzzling over the problem.  Why??  Your goals should
include increasing your problem solving "muscle".  Furthermore, there is
the matter of the potential that TIMTOWTDI applies.  [Google "TIMTOWTDI".]
Then take the time to write up your solutions carefully with
indelible ink.

	3.  Here are some even numbered problems that you might want to
wrestle.  There are no answers or hints in the back of the text. 	   

Chap 1	:	10, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24, 26, 30

Chap 2	:	2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 26, 30, 32, 40

Chap 3	:	2, 16

Chap 4	:	2, 4, 8

Chap 5	:	4, 34, 36

Chap 6	:	6

Chap 7	:	2, 4, 8, 10

Chap 8	:	4, 6

Chap 9	:	2, 4, 6, 16

Chap 10	:	2

Chap 12	:	2, 16

	4.  Further down the road, prior to the end of the term, I shall
make some notes and problems available on line in pdf format that deal
with networks and flows that live on certain digraphs.  Beyond this, I may
provide you with pointers to algorithmic varmints whose natural habitats 
are graph theoretical.