Graphs, Colourings and the Four-Colour Theorem

Robert A. Wilson (, Professor of Group Theory, The University of Birmingham)

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English

Oxford University Press
24 January 2002

Combinatorics & graph theory

The four-colour theorem is one of the famous problems of mathematics, that frustrated generations of mathematicians from its birth in 1852 to its solution (using substantial assistance from electronic computers) in 1976. The theorem asks whether four colours are sufficient to colour all conceivable maps, in such a way that countries with a common border are coloured with different colours.

The book discusses various attempts to solve this problem, and some of the mathematics which developed out of these attempts. Much of this mathematics has developed a life of its own, and forms a fascinating part of the subject now known as graph theory.

The book is designed to be self-contained, and develops all the graph-theoretical tools needed as it goes along. It includes all the elementary graph theory that should be included in an introduction to the subject, before concentrating on specific topics relevant to the four-colour problem.

Part I covers basic graph theory, Euler's polyhedral formula, and the first published false `proof' of the four-colour theorem. Part II ranges widely through related topics, including map-colouring on surfaces with holes, the famous theorems of Kuratowski, Vizing, and Brooks, the conjectures of Hadwiger and Hajos, and much more besides. In Part III we return to the four-colour theorem, and study in detail the methods which finally cracked the problem.

By: Robert A. Wilson ( Professor of Group Theory The University of Birmingham)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 233mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 9mm
Weight: 225g
ISBN: 9780198510628
ISBN 10: 0198510624
Pages: 150
Publication Date: 24 January 2002
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , A / AS level , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Reviews for Graphs, Colourings and the Four-Colour Theorem

This is a lively and readable account of one of the great problems of mathematics and its solution and can be recommended to all readers who are interested and prepared to make the effort to follow it. The Mathematical Gazette ... it will please every reader. And last but not least, it is a thin book, which will not eat much space in your library; the contents to weight ratio is well above the average. EMS