The Mathematical Olympiad Handbook: An Introduction to Problem Solving Based on the First 32 British Mathematical Olympiads 1965-1996 (Oxford Science Publications) [Paperback]

A. Gardiner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198501056 | ISBN-13: 978-0198501053 | Publication Date: December 4, 1997

Begun in Hungary in the nineteenth century, Mathematical Olympiads are now held for high school students throughout the world. They feature problems which, though they require only high school mathematics, seem very difficult because they are unpredictable and have no obvious starting point. This book introduces readers to these delightful and challenging problems and aims to convince them that Olympiads are not just for a select minority. The book contains problems from the British Mathematical Olympiad (BMO) competitions between 1965 and 1996. It includes hints and solutions for each problem from 1975 on, a review of the basic mathematical skills needed, and a list of recommended reading, making it an ideal source for enriching one's experience in mathematics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in this sort of problem solving. It would be a particularly valuable resource for those who participate in mathematics competitions at the high school or college level."--Mathematics Association of America Online

"Gardiner uses the problems from the first 32 British Mathematical Olympiads as a vehicle for encouraging mathematical problem-solving skills. The problems only require basic mathematical knowledge at the high-school level, but the fact that several problems were to be solved in a three-hour period adds a requirement for quick ingenuity to the problem-solving approaches." --Choice

"This valuable reference for mathematics teachers contains problems from the first thirty-two years of the British Mathematical Olympiad, 1965-1996. Although they do not depend on any particular prerequisite skills, the problems are intended for high school students. The book is clearly arranged, with a section on refresher mathematics, a section containing the problems, and a section on hints and solutions. The hints are distinguished from the solutions, so that the reader can read only the hint and continue solving the problem. The author recommends these challenging problems as practice for students who are preparing for competitions. Teachers could also use these problems in middle and high school courses to add rigor to the mathematics curriculum. The book contains a bibliography of other problem-solving books and a listing of the British team members who participated in the International Mathematical Olympiad."--The Mathematics Teacher

"Introduces challenging problems from British mathematical competitions for secondary school students. Part I overviews mathematics needed, covering numbers, algebra, proofs, elementary number theory, geometry, and trigonometric formulae. Part II presents about 10 problems for each of the 32 years of the competition, and Part III offers hints and worked solutions for problems given in the years 1975 through 1996. For motivated and talented high school students, especially those preparing for competitions."--SciTech Book News

About the Author

School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (December 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198501056
• ISBN-13: 978-0198501053
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #671,092 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-buy for problem-solvers., January 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mathematical Olympiad Handbook: An Introduction to Problem Solving Based on the First 32 British Mathematical Olympiads 1965-1996 (Oxford Science Publications) (Paperback)

This book has proven: The olympiad problems are not so hard as they appears. For every problem, there is a valuable solution outline ,teaching us how to attack it in a natural way. Furthermore, here is a good list of reference books.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to problem solving, June 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mathematical Olympiad Handbook: An Introduction to Problem Solving Based on the First 32 British Mathematical Olympiads 1965-1996 (Oxford Science Publications) (Paperback)

The last time I competed in a mathematical competition was in elementary school. So when I recently picked up and tried to solve some old Olympiad and Putnam questions I was dumbfounded, to say the least. Then I discovered "The Mathematical Olympiad Handbook." This book is an excellent intro to problem solving. It is an immense help in dealing with the frustration of problems that will not yield. No solutions are given-- only outlines to the solutions(which you should only read part of if you get stuck, as the outlines will easily lead to a solution). This structure was an excellent choice as it gives novice problem solvers a chance to solve problems on their own with a little help if they need it. Highly recommend!

[people new to problem solving should also check out "The Art and Craft of Problem Solving" by Paul Zeitz]

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource for mathematical olympiad preparation, June 30, 2008

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Mathematical Olympiad Handbook: An Introduction to Problem Solving Based on the First 32 British Mathematical Olympiads 1965-1996 (Oxford Science Publications) (Paperback)

The best way to study for exams is to work through old exams and the various Mathematical Olympiad competitions are no exception. This book begins with a brief explanation of the background mathematics considered essential for the Olympiad competitions. After this there is a complete list of all the problems that have appeared in the first round of the first 32 British Mathematical Olympiad competitions. The years covered are 1965 - 1996. While the solutions are labeled as "hints and outlines", they are thorough enough so that it would be a rare occasion for any reader to continue to feel stumped after reading them.
This book is also an excellent resource for any other mathematics competition at this level as well as some of the introductory courses in an undergraduate math program. Some of the problems are challenging to say the least; however in the true spirit of the Mathematical Olympiad, once demonstrated, in most cases the solution is clear.