Combinatorics II Problems and Solutions: Counting Patterns

This book deals mainly with pattern counting problems. It is a continuation of our previous combinatorics problem book. There are 80 problems with detailed solutions, including 70 figures, many of which are examples of patterns.

The book will teach you powerful methods for counting patterns. These methods should be in the toolbox of every combinatorialist. It also provides the means to generate patterns with programs that can be downloaded below.

The book starts with patterns that can be described by regular expressions and finite automata. It shows how to get generating functions for families of patterns from a regular expression or it's corresponding finite automaton.

It then looks at pattern counting problems that involve equivalence under symmetry. For example, how many unique necklaces can one construct using beads of 3 different colors if a rotated necklace is considered the same as the original?

These problems are surprisingly easy to answer using a method called Polya's theory of counting. This method and its more general form, called Burnside's theorem are covered. There are many worked out problems that show how to use these methods. Included are problems that find the number of unique ways to color the Platonic solids.