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Math 2001-002: Intro to Discrete Math, Spring 2021


Lecture Topics


Date
What we discussed/How we spent our time
Jan 15
Syllabus. Policies. Text.

I define the main goals of the course to be:

(1) To learn what it means to say ``Mathematics is constructed to be well founded.'' To learn which concepts and assertions depend on which others. To learn what are the most primitive concepts ( = set, $\in$) and the most primitive assertions ( = axioms of set theory).

(2) To learn how to unravel the definitions of ``function'', ``number'', and ``finite'', through layers of more and more primitive concepts, back to ``set'' and ``$\in$''.

(3) To learn the meanings of, and the distinction between, ``truth'' and ``provability''. To learn proof strategies.

(4) To learn formulas for counting.

Axioms of set theory.

I will occasionally post notes for Math 2001 in the form of flash cards on Quizlet. To join our quizlet class, go https://quizlet.com/join/mExWGGZqj.

(Test yourself on the Axioms of Set Theory with this Quizlet link: https://quizlet.com/_61ko6h.)

Jan 20
Read Sections 1.1 and 2.1.

We discussed naive set theory following these slides.

Jan 22
We discussed five of the first six axioms of set theory following these slides. On the last page of these slides we discuss the use of definitions/abbreviations to introduce new symbols into mathematics (like the symbols $\emptyset, \subseteq, {\mathcal P}$.)
Jan 25
We discussed the Axiom of Separation (also called the Axiom of Restricted Comprehension). We also discussed the use of the symbols $\cup$ and $\bigcup$. During the last 10 minutes we took Quiz 0.
Jan 27
We discussed Union and Intersection, noting that the union of the empty collection is defined while the intersection of the empty collection is not defined. We also noted that sets $X$ and $Y$ are called ``disjoint'' if $X\cap Y=\emptyset$. We introduced the Axiom of Infinity, and used it to show that the intersection of all inductive sets, which we denote $\mathbb N$, is a set.
Jan 29
We discussed Russell's Paradox.
Feb 1
We discussed the construction of ordered pairs, triples and $n$-tuples. We showed that ordered pairs have the property that $(a,b)=(c,d)$ holds if and only if $a=c$ and $b=d$. We defined the Cartesian product of sets, and showed that, if $A$ and $B$ are set, then $A\times B$ is a set.

We took Quiz 1.

Feb 3
We discussed the results of Quiz 1. We ended with a Q&A session (extended office hours).
Feb 5
Read Sections 2.2 and 2.3.

We discussed relations, predicates, and functions.

Quiz yourself on set theory terminology with this Quizlet link: https://quizlet.com/_61ufo1. Some of these definitions are illustrated by examples here https://quizlet.com/_61vmmh. Quiz yourself on terminology for functions!

Feb 8
We started by working on this worksheet concerning functions. Then we began discussing these slides on functions. These slides refer to some terminology for functions. The terminology is defined fully on this handout.

We took Quiz 2.

Feb 10
We continued discussing these slides, focusing on partitions. We showed that the coimage of any function is a partition and that every partition is a coimage.
Feb 12
We defined ``kernel of a function'', and abstracted the kernel concept to obtain the definition of equivalence relation.
Feb 15
Read Section 2.5.

We discussed the proof that the kernel of any function is an equivalence relation on the domain of the function, and every equivalence relation on a set $A$ is the kernel of some function with domain $A$. This proof introduced the concept of ``equivalence class''.

We took Quiz 3.

Feb 17
Wellness Day!
Feb 19
Midterm Review Sheet!

We completed the proof that the kernel of a function is an equivalence relation, and every equivalence relation is the kernel of a function.

We reviewed the concept of ``well foundedness'' and how the definition of a ``function'' is developed from the axioms.

We began discussing induction, recursion, and the arithmetic of $\mathbb N$. (Some hints.)

Feb 22
Midterm Review Sheet!

We continued discussing induction, recursion, and the arithmetic of $\mathbb N$. (Some hints.)

We took Quiz 4.

Feb 24
Midterm Review Sheet!

We reviewed for the midterm exam.

(No new HW assigned for the week of Feb 24-March 3!)

Feb 26
Midterm!

Answers.

Mar 1
No quiz today! Instead we discussed the last three axioms of set theory. (Replacement, Choice, Foundation)
Mar 3
No HW due today! We started proving the laws of arithmetic.
Mar 5
We proved the Distributive Law by induction. We defined the concepts: finite, infinite, countably infinite, countable, uncountable. We proved the a subset of a finite set is finite by induction.
Mar 8
We defined the ordering on natural numbers: $m\lt n$ means $m\in n$; $m\leq n$ means $m\lt n$ or $m=n$. Under these definitions, every natural number is the set of its predecessors under the $\lt$-ordering.
We stated a theorem: $m\leq n$ iff $m\subseteq n$.

We discussed Strong Induction. We showed that it is a valid form of proof, and used it to prove that every natural number $k\neq 0$ is a product of prime numbers. This fact (existence of prime factorizations) is half of the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic. We stated the other half (uniqueness of prime factorizations), but did not prove that half.

We took Quiz 5.

Mar 10
Read: Sections 2.7 and 2.8.

We started discussing ordinal and cardinal numbers.

We defined ordinal numbers and introduced some new symbols ($\omega$ = omega, $\aleph_0$ = aleph zero). We discussed the main properties of ordinals, including that ordinals are well ordered and that every set can be enumerated by an ordinal. We showed that $\omega$ can be enumerated by each of $\omega, \omega+1, \omega+2$ and $\omega+\omega$. We then defined equipotence, finite, infinite, countably infinite, countable, and uncountable. We introduced the notation $|A|=|B|$, $|A|\leq |B|$, and $|A|<|B|$. We started the proof of the CBS Theorem, but did not finish it.

Mar 12
We completed the proof of the CBS theorem. We explained why $A\subseteq B$ implies $|A|\leq |B|$. We showed that $|\mathbb N|=|E|$ ($E$=even natural numbers), $|\mathbb N|=|\mathbb N\times\mathbb N|$, $|\mathbb N|=|\mathbb Q^{\geq 0}|$, and $|\mathbb N|=|\mathbb Q|$. We then explained why $|(0,1)|=|[0,1]|=|\mathbb R|$, and noted that these arguments can show that if $S\subseteq \mathbb R$ is any subset of $\mathbb R$ with nonempty interior, then $|S|=|\mathbb R|$. (Saying that $S$ has nonempty interior means some nonempty open interval is a subset of $S$.)
Mar 15
Snow day! (University is closed.)
Mar 17
We proved Cantor's Theorem, introduced characteristic functions, and explained why $|\mathbb N|< |{\mathcal P}(\mathbb N)|=|\mathbb R|$.

We took Quiz 6.

Mar 19
We discussed Quiz 6.

Review: Sections 2.7 and 2.8.

We completed these notes, in particular we discussed why (in ZFC) every set has a unique cardinality. We also discussed the Continuum Hypothesis.

Mar 22
We are starting to study logic (Chapters 3 and 4). In Chapter 3, we will discuss material from Sections 3.1 and 3.5, and part of 3.2. We will not discuss material from 3.3, 3.4, or 3.6.

Two introductory handouts on logic.

No quiz!

Arnie has no respect for those who have no respect for logic.

Mar 24
Read Subsection 4.1.3.

We talked about structures and their structural elements. We talked about tables for operations and predicates. (See notes from Feb 5 lecture, where operations and predicates were defined for the first time.) Practice problems on creating tables for compound operations and predicates. Solutions.

Mar 26
We discussed formula trees and composition trees/parse trees/derivation trees/syntax trees. We gave the recursive definition for terms and explained how to assign tables to terms. We gave the truth tables for the Boolean logical connectives $\wedge, \vee, \neg, \to, \leftrightarrow$.
Mar 29
We discussed tautologies, contradictions, logical equivalence.

We took Quiz 7.

Mar 31
We continued discussing these slides, and explained why every proposition is equivalent to one in disjunctive normal form. We then started to discuss quantifiers, and got far enough to explain why $\neg (\forall x) P\equiv (\exists x) \neg P$ and $\neg (\exists x) P\equiv (\forall x) \neg P$.
Apr 2
We discussed the rules to put a formula in prenex normal form.
Apr 5
We discussed how to standardize the variables apart, which helps to put a statement in prenex form. We then began discussing quantifer games for sentences in prenex form. We argued that $\exists$ has a winning strategy for $(\exists y)(\exists x)((x<0)\wedge (y>0))$ in $\mathbb R$, while $\forall$ has a winning strategy for the same sentence in $\mathbb N$. I ended the lecture by asking who has a winning strategy for $(\forall x)(\exists y)(x=y)$ in $\mathbb R$?

We took Quiz 8.

Apr 7
We discussed how to interpret quantifiers in general, and more specifically how to use quantifier games to determine the truth of a sentence written in prenex normal form. Practice problems.
Apr 9
We discussed provability versus truth. The discussion included
(1) Semantic versus syntactic consequence. ($\Sigma\models P$ versus $\Sigma\vdash P$.)
(2) The definition of ``proof''.
(3) The role of axioms.
(4) Examples of rules of deduction (e.g. ``Modus Ponens'').
(5) Soundness and completeness of a proof system.
(6) First-order sentences.
(7) Gödel's Completeness Theorem.
(8) The structure of a theorem statement.
(9) Proof strategies.
(10) The equivalence of direct proof, proof of the contrapositive, and proof by contradiction.
Apr 12
We completed these slides. The main new item was a discussion of proof when the hypotheses or conclusions involve quantifiers.
Apr 14
Read Section 6.1.

We discussed the first page of this handout. In particular, we discussed the additive and multiplicative counting principles.

Apr 16
We discussed more of this handout. In particular, we argued that

(1) an $n$-element set has $2^n$ subsets,
(2) the number of functions from a $k$-element set to an $n$-element set is $n^k$,
(3) the number of bijective functions from a $k$-element set to an $n$-element set is $0$ is $k\neq n$ and is $n!$ if $k=n$,
(4) the number of injective functions from a $k$-element set to an $n$-element set is $(n)_k=n!/k!$, and
(5) the number of $k$-element subsets of an $n$-element set is $n!/(k!(n-k)!)$.

During this discussion, we discussed overcounting, in the following form: If $E$ is an equivalence relation on $L$, and all $E$-classes have the same size $k$, then the number of $E$-classes is $|L|/k$. (Special case: You can count the number of cows in a field by counting their legs and dividing by four. Here $L$ is the set of legs, and two legs are called equivalent if they belong to the same cow. We assume that each cow has $k=4$ legs.)

Apr 19
We discussed ``$n$-choose-$k$''.

(1) The $k$th level of the subset lattice of an $n$-element set has size $C(n,k)$.
(2) Formulas for $C(n,k)$ are $(n)_k/k!=n!/k!(n-k)!$
(3) The number of poker hands is $C(52,5)=2,598,960$. The number of poker hands that are Royal Flushes is $C(4,1)=4$. The probability that a poker hand is a Royal Flush is calculated by the ratio $(\# \textrm{successful events})/(\# \textrm{events})$, which in the case of a Royal Flush is $C(4,1)/C(52,5)=.000001539$.
(4)Pascal's Triangle.

Apr 21
We discussed binomial coefficients, multinomial coefficients, and the multichoose numbers. We have now covered all the counting formulas in this handout except for the formula involving $S(k,n)$.
Apr 23
Final Review Sheet.

We discussed inclusion and exclusion, the Stirling numbers of the second kind, and the number of surjective functions $f\colon k\to n$.

Apr 26
We discussed the Bell numbers and Stirling numbers of the second kind. $B_n$ counts the number of partitions of an $n$-element set, and $S(n,k)$ counts the number of partitions of an $n$-element set into $k$-cells. Quiz yourself on counting formulas!