Mathematical Olympiads: Problems and Solutions from Around the World, 1999-2000
By addebook • Jun 29th, 2008 • Category: Mathematics •
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Mathematical Olympiads: Problems and Solutions from Around the World, 1999-2000 (MAA Problem Book Series)
Mathematical Olympiads: Problems and Solutions from Around the World, 1999-2000 (MAA Problem Book Series)
By Titu Andreescu, Zuming Feng
Publisher: The Mathematical Association of America
Number Of Pages: 280
Publication Date: 2002-04
ISBN-10 / ASIN: 0883858053
ISBN-13 / EAN: 9780883858059
Binding: Paperback
Contained here are solutions to challenging problems from algebra, geometry, combinatorics and number theory featured in the earlier book, together with selected questions (without solutions) from national read.freeduan.com and regional Olympiads given during the year 2000. Intended for the serious student/problem solver, these books can help to improve performance in the Mathematical Olympiad competition. However, for those not entering the competition, there is much to challenge any mathematician, even those with advanced degrees. Different nations have different mathematical cultures, so you will find that some of the questions are extremely difficult and some rather easy. There are a wide variety of problems especially from those countries that have often done well in the IMO. Anyone interested in mathematical problem solving will encounter some beautiful mathematics in the pages of this book. If you are up to a real challenge, take some of these problems on!
Summary: Challenging Stuff
Rating: 5
I’m rewriting almost ad-literam this review since previously it was inadvertedly attached (and the fault is mine) to another book by the same team of editors (USA and Int. Math. Olympiads, 2001). So, let’s get started again.
This is another collection of mathematical olympiad grade problems published in the MAA problem book series. The problems are collected from various contests: national (46 of the 1999-2000 contests in some of the most advanced countries are presented) and regional (13 such contests are covered).
The 1999 contest problems, national and regional, are presented with solutions and sometimes with multiple solutions or with comments. The 2000 contest problems are listed without answers, so that the serious and determined readers could try their hand at their solutions.
I consider this kind of arrangement a very good idea, for problem solvers are in constant need of a challenge. Having failed to solve a problem, having the solution at hand and resisting the temptation to look at the solution is, for some mere mortals, as hard as being a chef on a diet in a French restaurant.
For this very reason I don’t consider a very good idea having the solutions immediately after aproblem’s statement. But this is a personal preference and there are some practical reasons for doing so from the editorial point of view, so I don’t necessarily consider this aspect a weak point of the book.
The problems themselves are beautiful. They run the gammut from meaningful gems of mathematics having relatively easy solutions, that could even find applications elswhere, to virtuoso type problems, saying little mathematically, but being exceedingly hard to solve. A problem solver needs both these types of problems in order to prepare for competitions and to
start appreciating the maths from an aesthetic point of view.
The classic synthetic geometry, elementary number theory and combinatorial theory problems are there. But a number of “unorthodox” interesting problems asking for an algorithm in order to reach a solution are scattered through the collection and I consider these the most difficult ones to solve.
This is a technical book, so to speak, aimed to train the reader for the real and hard competition. It could be seen as an analogue of a set of weights the athlete uses in his/her day by day training. Competitors and their coaches will undoubtedly find it a welcome addition to the existing older material.
The editors did a good job and it is to be expected that they will continue to offer this service to the young mathematical community.
Free Download Links
http://rapidshare.com/files/68191814/Contests_Around_the_World_1999-2000.rar
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