combinatorics
/ˌkɒmbɪnəˈtɒrɪks
/plural noun [treated as singular]
The branch of mathematics dealing with combinations of objects belonging to a finite set in accordance with certain constraints, such as those of graph theory.Generating functions have numerous applications in mathematics, especially in combinatorics, probability theory, statistics, the theory of Markov chains, and number theory....
- His early works range over number theory, statistics, combinatorics, game theory, as well as his principal interest of commutative algebra.
- The problems which attracted him most were problems in combinatorics, graph theory, and number theory.
Origin
1940s: from combinatorial (see combination), influenced by German Kombinatorik.