Mathematical Olympiad Treasures

Aus den Rezensionen: “! Das vorliegende Buch ! liefert einen didaktischen Leitfaden zum Einstieg in die fur Olympiade-Beispiele charakteristische Denkweise. Nichtsdestotrotz besitzt das Werk einen klar strukturierten Aufbau, der das Erarbeiten des dargebotenen Stoffes enorm erleichtert. Zu Beginn eines jeden Kapitels wird anhand einiger exemplarischer Problemstellungen die zugrundeliegende Idee erlautert ! Die Herkunftsgebiete der Beispiele erstrecken sich uber alle Sparten der Mathematik ! Aufgrund all dieser Punkte ist das Buch fur Leiter eines Olympiade-Kurses an Gymnasien ! gleichwie fur andere an der Thematik interessierte Leser warmstens zu empfehlen.” (O. Pfeiffer, in: Internationale Mathematische Nachrichten, 2005, Vol. 59, Issue 198, S. 20)

“Mathematical Olympiad Treasures” aims at building a bridge between ordinary high school exercises and more sophisticated, intricate and abstract concepts and problems in undergraduate mathematics. The book contains a stimulating collection of problems in the subjects of algebra, geometry and trigonometry, number theory and combinatorics. While it may be considered a sequel to “Mathematical Olympiad Challenges,” the focus of “Treasures” is on engaging a wider audience of undergraduates to think creatively in applying techniques and strategies to problems in the real world.

The problems are clustered by topic into self-contained sections. Unlike “Challenges,” however, “Treasures” begins with elementary facts, followed by a number of carefully selected problems and an extensive discussion of their solutions. This discussion then leads to more complicated and more intellectually challenging problems, as well as their solutions. Throughout the book students are encouraged to express their ideas, conjectures, and conclusions in writing. The goal is to help readers develop a host of new mathematical tools and strategies that will be useful beyond the classroom and in a number of disciplines.

“Mathematical Olympiad Treasures” reflects the depth of experience of two seasoned professors and coaches from the United States and Romanian Olympiad teams.