Wow! eBook
IMO Problems, Theorems, and Methods: Combinatorics
Author:Guangyu Xu (Author), Zhenhua Qu (Author)
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing
Publication date: 2025-09-08
Language: English
Print length: 272 pages
ISBN-10: 9819803365
ISBN-13: 9789819803361
Book Description
The problems in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) are not only novel and interesting but also deeply rooted in profound mathematical context. The team at the International Mathematical Olympiad Research Center at East China Normal University has compiled and studied problems from past IMOs, dividing them into four volumes based on the mathematical fields involved: algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics.
The Combinatorics volume primarily divides IMO problems into six chapters: "Enumerative Combinatorics Problems", "Existence Problems", " Extremal Combinatorial Problems", "Operations and Logical Reasoning Problems", "Combinatorial Geometry Problems", and "Graph Theory Problems". This volume begins with an explanation of the origin and development of the IMO, covering aspects such as participating teams, contestants, awards, and problems, and it then outlines the characteristics and trends of IMO combinatorial problems. Each chapter introduces relevant foundational knowledge and methods, provides some typical examples, and then classifies the IMO problems in that chapter according to the knowledge, methods, and characteristics involved. The problems are arranged in chronological order, with multiple good solutions provided for some problems, along with statistical analysis of the problem difficulty and a discussion of the Chinese team's performance.
At the end of the book, there is information about past IMO participants and medal winners, as well as an index of combinatorics problems, making it convenient for readers to reference and conduct further research.
About the Author
Guangyu Xu is a PhD student from School of Mathematical Sciences, East China Normal University. He completed his undergraduate studies in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics from Tsinghua University. During his doctoral studies, his research focuses on mathematics education and mathematics competitions, with a particular emphasis on combinatorial mathematics. He won a silver medal during the 29th Chinese Mathematical Olympiad and has maintained a strong passion for mathematics competitions over the years. He has also participated in the proposition and grading work for various major mathematics competitions in China multiple times.
About the Author & Translator
Zhenhua Qu is an associate professor of the School of Mathematical Sciences, East China Normal University. He received his PHD from the University of Texas at Austin, USA. His research areas include algebraic geometry, number theory and mathematics education. He is actively involved in national mathematical competitions and proposed a great number of problems. He was the leader of Chinese IMO team in 2018, and deputy leader in 2021–2023.
About the Translator
Jinhua Chen is a doctoral candidate in Mathematical Education at East China Normal University, with research interests in mathematics competitions and gifted education. He serves as an external mentor for mathematics competition courses at several high schools. Chen attended the Affiliated High School of South China Normal University and Guangdong Olympic School during his secondary education. He has excelled in various competitions, including the Chinese High School Mathematics League, the American Mathematics Competition 12, the Chinese College Mathematics Competition, and the COMAP Mathematical/Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling.
