HUNTERTUTORING

Study Guide — Counting and combinatorics

View PDF →

Graph theory & combinatorics

Undergraduate study guide for Counting and combinatorics.

What this standard means

  • Addition and multiplication principles; permutations and combinations
  • Binomial coefficients and combinatorial identities
  • Inclusion–exclusion principle
  • Generating functions (introduction)
  • Recurrence relations and characteristic equations (introduction)

_See printable PDF for diagram._

How to use the 20 practice sets

| Sets | When to use | | --- | --- | | 1–5 | Intro — explore together, short written items | | 6–10 | Core skills — diagrams and written practice | | 11–15 | Mixed review — explain thinking | | 16–20 | Stretch — word problems and mastery tasks |

Pacing: 10–15 minutes per session.

How to practice

1. Use trees or tables for counting 2. State the proof method up front 3. Check small cases before generalizing

_See printable PDF for diagram._

Common mistakes

  • Double counting
  • Missing base case in induction

Review and practice tests

1. Start Review 1/10 when sets 1–3 feel comfortable. 2. Move up one review level with little help. 3. Use Practice Test 4/10–6/10 for mid-standard checks. 4. Practice Test 10/10 is the mastery bar for Counting and combinatorics.

  • [ ] Applies counting principles correctly
  • [ ] Writes structured proofs
  • [ ] Models problems with graphs or recurrences

Materials for this standard

  • Practice Problems — 20 printable sets
  • Review — 10 difficulty levels
  • Practice Test — 10 difficulty levels
  • Answer key — for parents and tutors

For your personal study only. Copying, printing, screenshotting, or sharing this material is not permitted and may result in loss of access.

Back to unit