Mathematical Challenge [Paperback]

Tony Gardiner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 1996 | Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up

This book contains almost 600 unusual and challenging multiple-choice problems designed for students aged 11-15. The first part consists of past papers (1988SH93) for the annual UK Schools Mathematical Challenge. The second part contains forty-two short papers of ten questions each in the same style, and are designed to fill a thirty-minute class or homework slot. This collection of unusual, high quality problems will provide an invaluable resource for all mathematics teachers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a valuable addition to the resources of any teacher preparing high school students for mathematics contests. ...an ideal addition to high school libraries." CRUX with Mayhem

Book Description

This book contains almost 600 unusual and challenging multiple-choice problems for students aged 11-15. The first part consists of past papers (1988-93) for the annual UK Schools Mathematical Challenge. The second part contains forty-two short papers in the same style, designed to fill a thiry-minute class or homework slot.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Paperback: 146 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (August 28, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521558751
• ISBN-13: 978-0521558754
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,765,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars British mathematics competition problems for middle school students., April 15, 2007

By 

N. F. Taussig (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mathematical Challenge (Paperback)

This text contains papers from the U. K. School Mathematics Challenge for the years 1989 - 1994, each of which contains 25 multiple choice problems meant to be done without a calculator by middle school students, and 42 additional 10 problems papers in the same format provided for additional practice. The problems, which are succinctly stated and sometimes humorous, require good arithmetic skills, number sense, a rudimentary knowledge of algebra and geometry, and the willingness to think through a multi-step problem. The problems range from routine calculations to problems that require considerable ingenuity to solve.

The U. K. School Mathematical Challenge papers consist of 25 problems. The 15 problems in part A of the examination are relatively routine; the 10 problems in part B are not. Given the difficulty of the problems in part B and the time limit of one hour to complete the examination, students are encouraged to check that their answers to the problems in part A are correct before they delve into the more difficult problems in part B.

The second part of the book consists of miniature examinations. Each paper has 10 problems that increase in difficulty. The papers themselves also increase in difficulty. Some problems are more challenging than those that appeared in the competitions.

Answers to all problems are provided; solutions are not. This is the chief limitation of the book, because it is not always possible to discern a solution to a problem even when you know the correct answer. Even with this limitation, working through this text is a great way for students of this age to prepare for mathematics competitions. Their teachers could use this text as a source of enrichment, whether in class or in mathematics clubs. The companion volume, More Mathematical Challenges, to this text consists of the open-ended problems given to students who scored well enough on the U. K. School Mathematics Challenge to qualify for the U. K. Junior Mathematical Olympiad.