Graph theory began as an obscure subfield of mathematics, but it has since turned into an incredibly useful tool for understanding the modern world. It essentially is a streamlined method for dealing with abstract objects and the links between them. This area of study is usually contained within the broader field of combinatorics, but it has many unique aspects that make it useful. As the world becomes more and more connected, and as data becomes more readily available, graph theory has become an essential framework for making sense of it.
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In this article, I’m going to talk about the interesting history of graph theory and the local problem that led to its development. I’ll explain some of the basic concepts of graph theory too, and then I’ll go over some cool modern applications! Graph theory is a powerful tool for understanding the world around us!
Graphs and Bridges
