Course contents document · University · generated 2026-07-15

Discrete Mathematics

11 core topics + 29 prerequisite topics taught as needed · approximately 10 hours of instruction including spaced review

How the course runs

An adaptive diagnostic (up to 40 questions) places the student on the course's knowledge graph — topics already known are credited, and instruction begins exactly at the learning frontier. Every topic is taught with a worked-example lesson and auto-graded practice; a topic is mastered at 75%+ and then maintained through spaced reviews on an expanding schedule. A cumulative quiz follows every 6 lessons. Prerequisite gaps below the course are detected and taught rather than skipped, so completion certifies the whole tower, not just the top.

Core curriculum

Discrete Mathematics · 11 topics

Propositional Logic [E] T/F values combined with AND, OR, NOT, and IMPLIES.
Set Operations [M] Union, intersection, difference — and inclusion–exclusion.
Functions Between Finite Sets [M] Counting maps: every input independently picks an output.
The Product & Sum Rules [E] Multiply independent stages; add exclusive alternatives.
Permutations & Combinations [M] Ordered vs. unordered selections.
The Pigeonhole Principle [M] More pigeons than holes forces a crowded hole.
Recurrence Relations [M] Sequences defined by how each term follows from the last.
Graph Theory Basics [M] Vertices, edges, and the handshake lemma.
Trees [M] Connected, cycle-free graphs: n vertices, n − 1 edges.
Modular Arithmetic [M] Arithmetic on remainders.
Induction & Closed-Form Sums [M] Classic sums with formulas provable by induction.

Prerequisite material — taught automatically when the diagnostic finds gaps

Arithmetic Foundations · 7 topics
Adding & Subtracting Whole Numbers Multi-digit addition and subtraction.
Multiplication Multiplying whole numbers.
Division Dividing whole numbers.
Order of Operations Parentheses first, then multiplication/division, then addition/subtraction.
Negative Numbers: Adding & Subtracting Working with numbers below zero on the number line.
Negative Numbers: Multiplying & Dividing Sign rules for products and quotients.
Exponents Repeated multiplication in shorthand.
Fractions · 4 topics
Equivalent Fractions Different fractions can name the same amount.
Simplifying Fractions Reducing a fraction to lowest terms.
Multiplying Fractions Multiply straight across.
Dividing Fractions Multiply by the reciprocal.
Decimals, Percents & Ratios · 3 topics
Fractions ↔ Decimals Converting between the two notations.
Percent of a Number Percent means per hundred.
Percent Increase & Decrease Applying a percent change to a quantity.
Expressions & Equations · 1 topics
Evaluating Expressions Substituting a value for a variable.
Linear Functions · 2 topics
The Coordinate Plane Locating points with (x, y) pairs.
Slope of a Line Rise over run between two points.
Radicals & Exponentials · 4 topics
Product Rule for Exponents Multiplying powers of the same base adds the exponents.
Quotient & Power Rules Dividing powers subtracts exponents; a power of a power multiplies them.
Zero & Negative Exponents Anything (nonzero) to the 0 power is 1; a negative exponent flips to a reciprocal.
Exponential Growth & Decay Quantities that multiply by the same factor each time step: y = a·bᵗ.
Functions & Algebra II · 3 topics
Function Notation & Evaluation Reading f(x) notation and plugging in inputs.
Arithmetic Sequences Sequences that grow by a constant difference each step.
Geometric Sequences Sequences that grow by a constant ratio each step.
Precalculus · 1 topics
Sigma Notation & Series Σ compresses a sum: read the limits, add up the terms.
Math Olympiad: MOEMS & AMC 8 · 4 topics
Modular Arithmetic Working with remainders directly.
Permutations Ordered arrangements.
Combinations Unordered selections: n choose k.
The Pigeonhole Principle Guaranteeing a repeat.

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