A Primer for Mathematics Competitions

A Primer for Mathematics Competitions
Author: Alexander Zawaira
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Total Pages: 368
Release: 2008-10-31
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0191561703

The importance of mathematics competitions has been widely recognised for three reasons: they help to develop imaginative capacity and thinking skills whose value far transcends mathematics; they constitute the most effective way of discovering and nurturing mathematical talent; and they provide a means to combat the prevalent false image of mathematics held by high school students, as either a fearsomely difficult or a dull and uncreative subject. This book provides a comprehensive training resource for competitions from local and provincial to national Olympiad level, containing hundreds of diagrams, and graced by many light-hearted cartoons. It features a large collection of what mathematicians call "beautiful" problems - non-routine, provocative, fascinating, and challenging problems, often with elegant solutions. It features careful, systematic exposition of a selection of the most important topics encountered in mathematics competitions, assuming little prior knowledge. Geometry, trigonometry, mathematical induction, inequalities, Diophantine equations, number theory, sequences and series, the binomial theorem, and combinatorics - are all developed in a gentle but lively manner, liberally illustrated with examples, and consistently motivated by attractive "appetiser" problems, whose solution appears after the relevant theory has been expounded. Each chapter is presented as a "toolchest" of instruments designed for cracking the problems collected at the end of the chapter. Other topics, such as algebra, co-ordinate geometry, functional equations and probability, are introduced and elucidated in the posing and solving of the large collection of miscellaneous problems in the final toolchest. An unusual feature of this book is the attention paid throughout to the history of mathematics - the origins of the ideas, the terminology and some of the problems, and the celebration of mathematics as a multicultural, cooperative human achievement. As a bonus the aspiring "mathlete" may encounter, in the most enjoyable way possible, many of the topics that form the core of the standard school curriculum.

First Steps for Math Olympians

First Steps for Math Olympians
Author: J. Douglas Faires
Publisher: MAA
Total Pages: 344
Release: 2006-12-21
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 9780883858240

A major aspect of mathematical training and its benefit to society is the ability to use logic to solve problems. The American Mathematics Competitions have been given for more than fifty years to millions of students. This book considers the basic ideas behind the solutions to the majority of these problems, and presents examples and exercises from past exams to illustrate the concepts. Anyone preparing for the Mathematical Olympiads will find many useful ideas here, but people generally interested in logical problem solving should also find the problems and their solutions stimulating. The book can be used either for self-study or as topic-oriented material and samples of problems for practice exams. Useful reading for anyone who enjoys solving mathematical problems, and equally valuable for educators or parents who have children with mathematical interest and ability.

A Primer on Scientific Programming with Python

A Primer on Scientific Programming with Python
Author: Hans Petter Langtangen
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 942
Release: 2016-07-28
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 3662498871

The book serves as a first introduction to computer programming of scientific applications, using the high-level Python language. The exposition is example and problem-oriented, where the applications are taken from mathematics, numerical calculus, statistics, physics, biology and finance. The book teaches "Matlab-style" and procedural programming as well as object-oriented programming. High school mathematics is a required background and it is advantageous to study classical and numerical one-variable calculus in parallel with reading this book. Besides learning how to program computers, the reader will also learn how to solve mathematical problems, arising in various branches of science and engineering, with the aid of numerical methods and programming. By blending programming, mathematics and scientific applications, the book lays a solid foundation for practicing computational science. From the reviews: Langtangen ... does an excellent job of introducing programming as a set of skills in problem solving. He guides the reader into thinking properly about producing program logic and data structures for modeling real-world problems using objects and functions and embracing the object-oriented paradigm. ... Summing Up: Highly recommended. F. H. Wild III, Choice, Vol. 47 (8), April 2010 Those of us who have learned scientific programming in Python ‘on the streets’ could be a little jealous of students who have the opportunity to take a course out of Langtangen’s Primer.” John D. Cook, The Mathematical Association of America, September 2011 This book goes through Python in particular, and programming in general, via tasks that scientists will likely perform. It contains valuable information for students new to scientific computing and would be the perfect bridge between an introduction to programming and an advanced course on numerical methods or computational science. Alex Small, IEEE, CiSE Vol. 14 (2), March /April 2012 “This fourth edition is a wonderful, inclusive textbook that covers pretty much everything one needs to know to go from zero to fairly sophisticated scientific programming in Python...” Joan Horvath, Computing Reviews, March 2015

Problem-Solving Strategies

Problem-Solving Strategies
Author: Arthur Engel
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 404
Release: 2008-01-19
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0387226419

A unique collection of competition problems from over twenty major national and international mathematical competitions for high school students. Written for trainers and participants of contests of all levels up to the highest level, this will appeal to high school teachers conducting a mathematics club who need a range of simple to complex problems and to those instructors wishing to pose a "problem of the week", thus bringing a creative atmosphere into the classrooms. Equally, this is a must-have for individuals interested in solving difficult and challenging problems. Each chapter starts with typical examples illustrating the central concepts and is followed by a number of carefully selected problems and their solutions. Most of the solutions are complete, but some merely point to the road leading to the final solution. In addition to being a valuable resource of mathematical problems and solution strategies, this is the most complete training book on the market.

Studyguide for a Primer for Mathematics Competitions by Zawaira, Alex

Studyguide for a Primer for Mathematics Competitions by Zawaira, Alex
Author: Cram101 Textbook Reviews
Publisher: Cram101
Total Pages: 122
Release: 2013-05
Genre:
ISBN: 9781478488439

Never HIGHLIGHT a Book Again Includes all testable terms, concepts, persons, places, and events. Cram101 Just the FACTS101 studyguides gives all of the outlines, highlights, and quizzes for your textbook with optional online comprehensive practice tests. Only Cram101 is Textbook Specific. Accompanies: 9780872893795. This item is printed on demand.

The Stanford Mathematics Problem Book

The Stanford Mathematics Problem Book
Author: George Polya
Publisher: Courier Corporation
Total Pages: 82
Release: 2013-04-09
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 048631832X

Based on Stanford University's well-known competitive exam, this excellent mathematics workbook offers students at both high school and college levels a complete set of problems, hints, and solutions. 1974 edition.

Mathematical Olympiad Treasures

Mathematical Olympiad Treasures
Author: Titu Andreescu
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2011-09-21
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0817682538

Mathematical Olympiad Treasures aims at building a bridge between ordinary high school exercises and more sophisticated, intricate and abstract concepts in undergraduate mathematics. The book contains a stimulating collection of problems in the subjects of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, number theory and combinatorics. While it may be considered a sequel to "Mathematical Olympiad Challenges," the focus is on engaging a wider audience to apply techniques and strategies to real-world problems. 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 that will be useful beyond the classroom and in a number of disciplines.

Problems And Solutions In Mathematical Olympiad (High School 3)

Problems And Solutions In Mathematical Olympiad (High School 3)
Author: Hong-bing Yu
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 378
Release: 2022-03-16
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 9811229937

The series is edited by the head coaches of China's IMO National Team. Each volume, catering to different grades, is contributed by the senior coaches of the IMO National Team. The Chinese edition has won the award of Top 50 Most Influential Educational Brands in China.The series is created in line with the mathematics cognition and intellectual development levels of the students in the corresponding grades. All hot mathematics topics of the competition are included in the volumes and are organized into chapters where concepts and methods are gradually introduced to equip the students with necessary knowledge until they can finally reach the competition level.In each chapter, well-designed problems including those collected from real competitions are provided so that the students can apply the skills and strategies they have learned to solve these problems. Detailed solutions are provided selectively. As a feature of the series, we also include some solutions generously offered by the members of Chinese national team and national training team.