Discrete Mathematics By Olympia Nicodemi __exclusive__
Bridging the Gap: Discrete Mathematics by Olympia Nicodemi Published in 1987 by West Publishing Company,
The book covers several critical areas of discrete mathematics, emphasizing both theoretical understanding and practical application: Mathematical Reasoning:
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As of 2025, the book is technically out of print, but used copies are available on AbeBooks, eBay, and Amazon Marketplace. Prices range from $25 for a worn paperback to $150+ for a like-new hardcover. Many professors have also placed PDF excerpts on their course websites with permission from the author. Discrete Mathematics by Olympia Nicodemi
The "helpful story" of her work is centered on . In many math paths, students hit a wall when they move from solving equations to writing formal proofs. Nicodemi’s text acts as a mentor through this transition by focusing on:
Nicodemi’s writing style is often described as "conversational yet precise." She avoids the "definition-theorem-proof" fatigue by providing ample examples that ground abstract ideas in reality. Clarity in Proof Writing
Many discrete math books relegate recursion to a single section, often as a prelude to induction. Nicodemi makes recursion a recurring theme from the very first chapters. She uses recursive definitions not as a programming trick but as a fundamental way to define mathematical objects (strings, trees, sequences). By the time the student reaches induction, it feels like a natural extension of recursive thinking, not a magical leap. Bridging the Gap: Discrete Mathematics by Olympia Nicodemi
: Her approach shows how physical networks, like computer wiring or social connections, can be modeled and optimized using discrete structures.
The book contains one of the best slow introductions to proof writing available. She begins with propositional logic and truth tables, then moves to direct proof, proof by contradiction, and finally induction. Each proof is broken down into motive, plan, execution, and reflection. She includes "common pitfalls" boxes—small asides where she explicitly names the errors students make (e.g., "assuming what you are trying to prove," "misplacing parentheses in logical statements").
Perhaps the most critical section of the text, the chapters on proof techniques are handled with exceptional clarity. The text breaks down direct proofs, proof by contradiction, and mathematical induction into manageable steps. The section on induction—often a stumbling block for students—is particularly noteworthy for its use of intuitive examples (such as the Tower of Hanoi or summation formulas) before moving to rigorous formalism. Prices range from $25 for a worn paperback
: Early editions (and related works by the author) often utilized pretests and posttests for each chapter, keyed to specific learning objectives, to help students track their progress.
Understanding the book requires understanding its author. is more than just a mathematician; she is a celebrated educator whose entire career has been devoted to making advanced mathematics accessible.
Introduction to quantifiers (universal and existential) to express complex mathematical statements.