University of Pittsburgh

Are you in the right place?

  • This is Recitation for CS 0441: Discrete Structures for Computer Science.

    Recitation CRN: 29350 (Tues 2:00PM - 2:50PM)
    5505 Sennott Square
    • Accompanies Professor Bonidie's lecture section 1160
      • which meets in 403 Information Science Building
      • Mondays & Wednesdays at 4:30PM - 5:45PM

Please make sure you are in the correct place!

© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

REC-0: Welcome to 441!

Introduction & Recitation Administrivia

CS 0441: Discrete Structures for Computer Science
Week 2, Jan. 17, 2023
Section 29350 - Tues 2 PM

Shinwoo Kim
shinwookim@pitt.edu

Department of Computer Science
School of Computing & Information
University of Pittsburgh

© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

today...

  • Introduction
  • Recitation Policies, Structure & Expectations
  • Q&A
© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

hello!

© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

Office Hours

Day Time/Location
Monday 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM @ 5806 SENSQ
Tuesday 1:00PM - 2:00PM @ 5710 SENSQ;
3:00PM - 3:45PM @ 5712 SENSQ
Wednesday 2:30PM @ 5710 SENSQ
Thursday 1:00PM - 3:45PM @ 6408 SENSQ
Friday By appointment

M/W office hours are technically for my CS0449 students. You are more than welcome to attend these, however if there are students from my 449 class, I will prioritize my attention to them first.

© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

introduce yourself to your neighbor!

  • What's your name?
  • What year are you?
  • What major? Any minors?
© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

course discord

Dr. Garrison (another instructor for this course) hand kindly set up a Discord server to help students and TAs communicate with each other.

Link will be posted to Canvas...very soon
© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

keeping in touch

  • I will usually send announcements thru discord (and sometimes Canvas too if it's really important).
    • Check both frequently!!
    • will often post extra practice material too
  • Since this is a shared Discord, not all information discussed on it will apply to you (different sections/instructors may cover different topics)
  • Discord: Be Respectful!
  • I prefer Discord for communication (you can DM me privately if you wish). However, for "official" communications, or if you need my attention immediately use E-mail.
  • Discussing homework is ok (it's encouraged), but don't share the full solution outright
© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

recitation (REC) structure

Recitation = “Applying what you’ve learned in lecture towards solving specific concrete problems”

  • For this class, we will primarily work with homework questions
    • that way you'll have less homework to do
  • Usually, I'll take questions from you when we start.
    • questions can be about lecture topics, homework questions, or anything class-related
  • I’ll work out those problems and any other similar problems on the board
    • and sometimes, I might ask one of you to come up and work through them in front of the class
    • I'm a marker and whiteboard style of an instructor. If you have trouble seeing my writing/hearing me, please let me know!!
© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

A note on homework

  • Homework assignments are worth 30% of final grade
  • They will be posted to Canvas and are select problems from Textbook
    • You'll need access to the textbook
      • Rosen's Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications 8th Edition
    • Submission via Canvas: Scan/take pictures and form a PDF
    • Homework 1 is out! Due: Jan 27 2023
© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

REC behavior & expectation

  • Since we will be working from homework during REC; so you should attempt them and identify problems that are difficult prior to REC
  • You are expected to participate—not just listen. Ask Questions!!! and Stop me anytime
  • If I or someone else is making you feel unwelcome or uncomfortable, please contact me privately
  • Be respectful in class (to me and your peers). You’re an adult.
  • DON’T STRUGGLE IN SILENCE!!!! EVER!!
    • Ask questions in REC
    • Come to OH
    • Peer tutoring (sign up on Navigate) or Math Assistance Center
© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

Zoom, Recordings, and other Accommodations

  • Generally, I won't record or live-stream REC.
  • If you have a particular/valid reason (health, or emergencies) as to why you need them, contact me privately (at least 30 minutes before start of REC).
  • You are also allowed to go to other REC sections and other TA OHs if you can't make this one.
    • Note. each TA has a different teaching style.
  • If you require DRS accomodations/Religious absences, please contact me privately ASAP (DRS does not inform me if you need accomodations).
© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

your (continuous) feedback is important

© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

tips from previous students...

The best way to learn is to do
- Paul Halmos

  • This class is very different from other courses in the department
    • very math-heavy...but also different from traditional high school math
    • we don't use computers (except for homework submission)
    • lots of new concepts
  • You WILL get stuck on many problems
    • but that's ok. it's all part of learning
    • (it's also why TAs are here)

See: How to Succeed in CS0441, Discrete Structures for Computer Science by Dylan Feehan (PittCS Wiki)

© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

tips from previous students...

The best way to learn is to do
- Paul Halmos

  • There are so much opportunities to get help
    • But you have to seek them out
  • You get out of the course, what you put in
    • Both in terms of your grade, and learning

See: How to Succeed in CS0441, Discrete Structures for Computer Science by Dylan Feehan (PittCS Wiki)

© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

my observations from previous terms

  • students who did not show up to class/REC did very poorly on the exams
    • Especially because we discussed problems that came up on the exam
  • students who asked a lot of questions during REC and came to OH did very well (most received As/A+s)
  • many students showed up to OH right before HW due or Exam. My office cannot accommodate 50+ people
    • If you have questions, ask early!!!
    • Else I may not have enough time to assist you
  • same with email.
    • Please give me at least a business day (M-F 9-5) to respond. But, If I don’t respond after 24 hours, send me another message!!!
      • Usually, you'll get a respond earlier (I don't really have a healthy work/life separation)
© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

any questions?

© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

Tentative Schedule

Topic Book Chapter
Logic and Proofs Rosen 1.1 - 1.7
Functions Rosen 2.3
Sets Rosen 2.1 - 2.2 + 2.5
Sequences and Summations Rosen 2.4
Mid-Term Exam (Likely)
Counting Rosen 6.1 - 6.6
Probability Rosen 7.1 - 7.4
Number Theory (Integers and Modular Arithmetic) Rosen 4.1 - 4.3
Relations Rosen 9.1 - 9.2
Graphs Rosen 10.1 - 10.2
Final Exam

(Subject to Change)

© 2023 Shinwoo Kim
University of Pittsburgh

Next Week: Logic and Proofs


  • Logic and Proofs are the theoretical foundation of the course which teaches you how to derive additional information from some given information.
    • Fundamental information for later courses
    • Most applicable to programming
    • Thoroughly understanding the proofing techniques is incredibly important because you will be using these techniques throughout the rest of the course.
  • Next week, we'll start by looking at Homework 1
DUE: JAN 27 2023
SECTION 1.1 #s 4, 8 B-D, 12E, 16C, 28A, 30B, 34D, 36E
SECTION 1.2 #s 2, 4, 10
ALL QUESTIONS FROM ASSIGNED TEXT
  • Come prepared with questions!
© 2023 Shinwoo Kim

If we have extra time, I have practice problems from previous exams

Logic and Proofs are the theoretical foundation of the course which teaches you how to derive additional information from some given information. Thoroughly understanding the proofing techniques is incredibly important because you will be using these techniques throughout the rest of the course.

Sets are unordered collections of distinct objects, which have their own unique properties and laws. An example of a set is Z, the set of all integers. Another example is the set V of all vowels, V = {a, e, i, o, u}. You will learn about set operations, functions which map from sets to sets, and you will use sets when doing proofs.

Functions are mappings from inputs to outputs, from set A to set B. Functions also have their own properties and sub-topics, such as correspondences and composition. For example, think about the function f(x) = x^2 + 1 which maps from Z->Z+, from the set of all integers to the set of all positive integers.

In contrast to the unordered sets, sequences are ordered structures. Take for example the sequence 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, ... , the well known Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers (given first is 0 and second is 1). Summations are the addition of terms over a sequence, and these have handy applications to algorithm analysis.

Combinatorics, pronounced (com-bin-a-tor-icks), is the study of arranging objects. You'll learn about how many ways you can arrange a number of objects in ordered or unordered arrangements of objects. For example, how many bit strings can be made from a sequence of 8 bits?

Probability centers around the likelihood of a certain event happening given a set of conditions. You'll learn about finite probability, probabilities of compliments and unions of events, conditional probabilities, dependent vs. independent events, and much more.

the study of relationships between elements of sets.