By
C. Berge
Description
Graph Theory has proved to be an extremely useful tool for solving combinatorial problems in such diverse areas as Geometry, Algebra,
Number Theory, Topology, Operations Research and Optimization. It is natural to attempt to generalise the concept of a graph, in order
to attack additional combinatorial problems. The idea of looking at a family of sets from this standpoint took shape around 1960. In
regarding each set as a ``generalised edge'' and in calling the family itself a ``hypergraph'', the initial idea was to try to extend
certain classical results of Graph Theory such as the theorems of Turán and König. It was noticed that this generalisation
often led to simplification; moreover, one single statement, sometimes remarkably simple, could unify several theorems on graphs. This
book presents what seems to be the most significant work on hypergraphs.
Included in series
North-Holland Mathematical Library
