Mathematics in Computing

This illuminating textbook provides a concise review of the core concepts in mathematics essential to computer scientists. Emphasis is placed on the practical computing applications enabled by seemingly abstract mathematical ideas, presented within their historical context. The text spans a broad selection of key topics, ranging from the use of finite field theory to correct code and the role of number theory in cryptography, to the value of graph theory when modelling networks and the importance of formal methods for safety critical systems.

Topics and features:

Includes numerous pedagogical features, such as chapter-opening key topics, chapter introductions and summaries, review questions, and a glossaryDescribes the historical contributions of such prominent figures as Leibniz, Babbage, Boole, and von NeumannIntroduces the fundamental mathematical concepts of sets, relations and functions, along with the basics of number theory, algebra, algorithms, and matricesExplores arithmetic and geometric sequences and series, mathematical induction and recursion, graph theory, computability and decidability, and automata theoryReviews the core issues of coding theory, language theory, software engineering, and software reliability, as well as formal methods and model checkingCovers key topics on logic, from ancient Greek contributions to modern applications in AI, and discusses the nature of mathematical proof and theorem provingPresents a short introduction to probability and statistics, complex numbers and quaternions, and calculus


This engaging and easy-to-understand book will appeal to students of computer science wishing for an overview of the mathematics used in computing, and to mathematicians curious about how their subject is applied in the field of computer science. The book will also capture the interest of the motivated general reader.