Discrete Structures

The mathematical language of computer science

Every algorithm uses discrete mathematics

Mp3, mp4, and ogg files go through an algorithm to become compressed

A* Search Algorithm – first and best search algorithm

Develops mathematical reasoning

A gateway to more advanced courses in the field of mathematical science

It is the study of mathematical structures and objects that are fundamentally discrete rather than
continuous.

Discrete data – can only have specific value

“counted”; 1 2 3 4 5 6

Continuous data – can take any value in an interval

“measured”; 2.3, 10.1, 1.1

Data that involves complex numbers that are measured across a specific time interval

Algorithm – a series of steps that a computer program must take to accomplish a task

Computer science deals with the analysis of algorithms

How does Facebook transmit video? They use audio and video compression algorithm (lossless, lossy)

Waze, Google Maps – route finding algorithm

Dijkstra’s Algorithm, A* Search Algorithm, D* Algorithm

Positioning of solar panels – optimization and scheduling algorithm

Min-Min algorithm; Max-Min algorithm

What’s your job?

It is part of your job as a Computer Scientist to design new algorithms

To build a mathematical model for each scenario

To develop an algorithm for solving each task

To justify that your solutions work

Termination – prove that your program terminates

Completeness – prove that your algorithms find a solution when there is one

Soundness – prove that the solution of your algorithm is correct

Optimality – prove that your algorithms find the best solution (maximize profit)

Efficiency, time and space complexity – prove that your algorithms finish before the end of line on earth

Tools for discrete structures – logic, set theory, functions, sequences

Discrete objects are those which are separated from (distinct from) each other, such as integers,
rational numbers, houses, people, etc.

Real numbers are not discrete.

Discrete structures are theoretical basis of computer science

A mathematical foundation that makes you think logically

t discusses languages used in mathematical reasoning, basic concepts, and their properties and
relationships among them.

• It is also concerned with techniques to solve certain types of problems such as how to count or
enumerate quantities.

• It helps you form a logical basis to decompose a given problem into statements that make sense

Discrete math is the foundation for the formal approaches