Customer Reviews

USA and International Mathematical Olympiads (Maa Problem Books Series)

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Creating problems for the mathematical olympiads poses a significant challenge. The problems must be difficult, yet not require complex mathematics and generally be solvable using multiple approaches. In most cases, nothing more than high school mathematics is used, although it usually is applied in a very clever way.
Only eighteen problems appear in the book. The six used for the 29th United States of America Mathematical Olympiad, the six used for the selection of the United States team for the 41st International Mathematical Olympiad and the six problems for the 41st International Mathematical Olympiad. Short hints and then formal solutions for all are given. In general, multiple solutions are given for the problems.
As I read the problems, my response tended to follow the same pattern. On first reading, the problem seemed extremely difficult, but after a bit of pondering, the gist of an approach began emerging. In all cases, the solution is easy to follow and almost always much more succinct than expected. I consider the mathematical olympiad problems to be the highest quality of all that are published and it is a tribute to the contributors. Much credit also needs to be extended to the participants and their coaches, as they truly are scholars of the first magnitude.
I try to read all the MAA books on mathematical olympiad problems. They are truly the best and it makes me proud to be part of a profession that gives people a chance to test themselves against each other. These problems are always well worth reading and I always manage to obtain new mathematical insights when I read them.

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.