This textbook illuminates the field of discrete mathematics with
examples, theory, and applications of the discrete volume of a polytope.
The authors have weaved a unifying thread through basic yet deep ideas
in discrete geometry, combinatorics, and number theory. Because there is
no other book that puts together all of these ideas in one place, this
text is truly a service to the mathematical community.
We encounter here a friendly invitation to the field of "counting
integer points in polytopes," also known as Ehrhart theory, and its
various connections to elementary finite Fourier analysis, generating
functions, the Frobenius coin-exchange problem, solid angles, magic
squares, Dedekind sums, computational geometry, and more. With 250
exercises and open problems, the reader feels like an active
participant, and the authors' engaging style encourages such
participation. The many compelling pictures that accompany the proofs
and examples add to the inviting style. This new edition will contain at
least one new chapter, new exercises, many new references, corrections,
important updates to the open problems, and some new, professionally
done illustrations
For teachers, this text is ideally suited as a capstone course for
undergraduate students or as a compelling text in discrete mathematical
topics for beginning graduate students. For scientists, this text can be
utilized as a quick tooling device, especially for those who want a
self-contained, easy-to-read introduction to these topics.