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Could you point out some survey papers and monographs that highlight the kernel of tricks, techniques, and tools that Paul Erdős employed the most in his research work (in particular in graph theory, combinatorics, and number theory)?

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    $\begingroup$ On the old version of MathOverflow, at one point, there was a maxim "MathOverflow is not for requests for people to write encyclopaedia entries for you." Times may have changed, but I really feel that this kind of question is just a fishing expedition $\endgroup$
    – Yemon Choi
    Jan 28, 2015 at 21:41
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    $\begingroup$ You might try Tricki. $\endgroup$ Jan 28, 2015 at 21:52
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    $\begingroup$ @YemonChoi I'm actually asking for references rather than for an extensive answer. $\endgroup$
    – user60665
    Jan 28, 2015 at 22:01
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    $\begingroup$ The problem is that you presuppose something. There is in principle no problem with asking about expositions of the work of Erdős, but then you should do this. Not repeat in confusing way a paraphrase of an insult. $\endgroup$
    – user9072
    Jan 28, 2015 at 22:34
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    $\begingroup$ I think not only is this question fine, but that the original version of the question is better. A prominent mathematician makes a provocative claim about another prominent mathematician's mathematical work. As long as this claim isn't actually libelous, then it's obviously on-topic for MathOverflow. Who else would know the answer, other than research mathematicians? Now Rota is well-known for his dramatic style, but they don't put a disclaimer on the cover of his book, and they don't warn you in intro grad classes, so many people who read that quote are going have the same question. $\endgroup$
    – arsmath
    Feb 1, 2015 at 19:52

2 Answers 2

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You might get started with an Erdős commemoration appearing in this month's Notices:

Reflections on Paul Erdős on His Birth Centenary. Krishnaswami Alladi and Steven Krantz, Coordinating Editors. Notices of the American Mathematical Society, Feb. 2015, pp 121-143. http://www.ams.org/notices/201502/rnoti-p121.pdf

It features several brief essays (1-2 pages each) by friends and collaborators of Erdős, each highlighting some particular aspect of his work, methods, and life.

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Thank you @Fry, @so-calledfriendDon, and @DanPetersen (see comments) for these interesting references:

Graham, Ronald L., Nešetřil, Jaroslav, Butler, Steve (eds.), The Mathematics of Paul Erdős I and II, 2nd edition, Springer, 2013.

Lovász, László, Ruzsa, Imre, Sós, Vera T. (eds.), Erdös Centennial, Springer, 2013.

Alon, Noga, Spencer, Joel H., The probabilistic method, 2nd edition, Wiley-Interscience, 2000.

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