Mathematical Olympiad Treasures [Paperback]

Titu Andreescu (Author), Bogdan Enescu (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0817643052 | ISBN-13: 978-0817643058 | Publication Date: December 18, 2003 | Edition: 1

* "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. * The problems are clustered by topic into self-contained sections, that begin with elementary facts, followed by a number of carefully selected problems and an extensive discussion of their solutions. * Should benefit undergraduate students, advanced high school students, instructors, and coaches. * "Treasures" is similar in structure to "Challenges", but with more emphasis on unconventional examples, essay answers, and creative thinking.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Aus den Rezensionen: "… Das vorliegende Buch … liefert einen didaktischen Leitfaden zum Einstieg in die für 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 erläutert … Die Herkunftsgebiete der Beispiele erstrecken sich über alle Sparten der Mathematik … Aufgrund all dieser Punkte ist das Buch für Leiter eines Olympiade-Kurses an Gymnasien … gleichwie für andere an der Thematik interessierte Leser wärmstens zu empfehlen." (O. Pfeiffer, in: Internationale Mathematische Nachrichten, 2005, Vol. 59, Issue 198, S. 20)

From the Back Cover

"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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Birkhäuser Boston; 1 edition (December 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817643052
• ISBN-13: 978-0817643058
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,193,306 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful for the experience, but not beginners, May 1, 2005

By 

Math_Kid_25 "JB" (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mathematical Olympiad Treasures (Paperback)

I would recommend this book if you have already developed a repretoire for solving olympiad (USAMO, IMO, etc) level problems. This book teaches a couple more interesting startegies to add to your olympiad bag of tricks. However, a beginner to olympiad problems may wish to consider a different book first.

I bought this book this year before my first USAMO. I wanted to acquaint myself with important problem solving techniques I would need for this test. Whiel this book provided many important insights and tricks, It was not helpful for my purposes. Basically, it gave plenty of extra tricks, but very, very little on where to apply these tricks and how a student would know to use a given technique.

In all, I'd rate this book a 5 for advanced problem solvers who know what they are doing but want a good set of problems and extra techniques. However, a newcomer to olympiads may wish to consider a different book to start educating themselves in problem-solving

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a treasure!, January 30, 2004

By 

SCK (Escondido, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mathematical Olympiad Treasures (Paperback)

Andreescu delivered again! This book teaches powerful math problem solving techniques through a series of graded problems. The insight from these two renounced problem solvers of elementary problems at the olympiad level is prevalent throughout the book, which is what makes this book a treasure. You'll learn wonderful techniques and come away with a satisfying feeling after you can solve some of the problems that seem impossible to you before. I hope these authors continue to put out such gems in the near future. Enjoy!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good pedagogical aid for math competition, August 21, 2006

By 

M. Wang (CT United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mathematical Olympiad Treasures (Paperback)

This is a great compilation of various subjects in math from which quiz problems often stem. The thought process for solving a particular type of quizzes is illustrated with actual sample problems, as it should be. I think it will be perfect for my son when he gets a little older, but this book may be too easy for adults. I purchased it after enjoying months of puzzle-solving pleasure on my long daily train rides with "Mathematical Olympiad Challenges" from the same authors, but this book poses so little challenge that there is virtually no risk of stumbling over any problem. The authors acknowledge the difference in difficulty levels in the promotional literature. Perhaps they will publish a collection of harder problems separately.