Generating functions, amongst the most important tools in enumerative mathematics, are a bridge between discrete mathematics and continuous analysis. Generating functions are common in combinatorics, probability theory, statistics, the theory of Markov chains, and number theory. Wilf (mathematics, U. of Pennsylvania) provides instructions on using Maple and Mathematica from his introductory ideas and examples on though his coverage of series, the exponential formula, applications of generating functions, and analytic and asymptotic methods. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)