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The Art and Craft of Problem Solving
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17 new or used available from $47.99
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Product Description
This text on mathematical problem solving provides a comprehensive outline of "problemsolving-ology," concentrating on strategy and tactics. It discusses a number of standard mathematical subjects such as combinatorics and calculus from a problem solver's perspective.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #863809 in Books
- Published on: 1999-02-09
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Hardcover
- 352 pages
Editorial Reviews
From the Back Cover
Are you up for the challenge? "This is the only book I know that can be used as a source of problems (as opposed to exercises), provides strategies and intuition into problem solving, and also provides tools and techniques for solving problems. The integration of these three areas is extremely distinctive and highly commendable." Jeffery Bergen, DePaul University In many ways, solving a mathematical problem is as challenging and exhilarating as reaching the peak of a majestic mountain. Like the climber, the problem solver sets out on a journey where getting lost and finding one’s way are part of the fun. The solution may be elusive, but creative investigation and an adventurous spirit often bring it within grasp. The challenge is waiting for you inside this exciting text!
About the Author
About the Author Paul Zeitz studied history at Harvard and received a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley. He taught high school math in San Francisco and Colorado and currently is an associate professor at the University of San Francisco. He won the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) and was a member of the first American team to participate in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in 1974. Since 1985, he has composed and edited problems for several national math contests, including the USAMO. He has helped train several American IMO teams, most notably the 1994 "Dream Team" which, for the first time in history, achieved a perfect score.
Customer Reviews
Extraordinary
Sometimes a piece of music or a painting or a film just leaves me speechless. Sometimes it is a book, and this is such a book. When I first saw this book, I looked at no more than a handful of pages and bought it instantly. This book is truly thrilling, certainly for young and beginning mathematicians but even for mature ones. Every new page I read is full of thought and insight and elegance (both in the mathematical sense and otherwise). I don't know of any other book in its class. I honed my problem solving skills on the classics by Polya, but Polya did not cover this turf in even nearly the comprehensive way and the full and extensive detail of this book by Paul Zeitz. I wish I had had this extraordinary book when I was in high school -- I think it would have changed my life -- but I am so pleased that I at least have it now. Polya's books are of course classics in this area, but this book takes its place clearly beside them. It is destined to become a classic itself. In my eyes, it already has.
Not ideal for self study
A primary group of people this book is aimed at is those preparing for Math contests such as the Olympiads. Many such people study the subject on their own. An important step in such preparation is solving a lot of problems. While it is important to try to solve the problems on one's own, it is equally important to be able to verify that one's solutions are correct. Unfortunately, this book does not provide solutions to the problems. Hence, it is not very helpful for those who are studying on their own. There are many other books in the market which are better from that point of view: For example, many books by Titu Andreescu, "Problem Solving Strategies" book by Arthur Engel are all good books that provide solutions as well. The "Art of Problem Solving" (Vol. 1 & Vol. 2) by Rusczyk et al. are also very good and have separate solution manuals available for purchase.
One of the best
This book is indeed one of the best problem-solving textbook so far. As a frequent lecturer of Taiwan IMO team, I have many many MO books. Most of the books available are well-written by professionals and excellent mathematicians. However, since IMO does really prevail in recent years, these authors could not be the participants themselves (^^). Furthermore, usually these books (except those are merely problems collections) contains a good proportion of "harder" and beautiful problems, and the easier and basic training problems are relatively few. It often get the beginners frustrate.
Now this maybe is the first book written by a member of former MO team, and now a training lecturer. (The author himself won the USAMO and IMO in 1974, and helped train several USA IMO teams, including the 1994 "perfect score team"). So here is the precious experience! Besides, the ratio between the harder problems and the easier problems is really good. In my opinion this is an excellent textbook for ambitious beginners (both teachers and students), for self-studys and problem-solving fans. Highly recommended.
