Product Description

Mathematical Olympiad Treasures contains a stimulating collection of problems in geometry and trigonometry, algebra, number theory, and combinatorics. It encourages readers to think creatively about techniques and strategies for problem solving in the real world.

The problems are clustered by topic into self-contained chapters. The book begins with elementary facts, followed by carefully selected problems and detailed, step-by-step solutions, which then lead to more complicated, challenging problems and their solutions. Reflecting the experience of two professors and coaches of Mathematical Olympiads, the text will be valuable to teachers, students, and puzzle enthusiasts.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30973 in Books
• Published on: 2003-12-18
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 234 pages

Review

"I took great pleasure in reading Mathematical Olympiad Treasures, by Titu Andreescu and Bogdan Enescu. This book is the fruit of the prodigious activity of two well-known creators of mathematics problems in various mathematical journals....

Treasures is organized in six chapters. The first three deal with problems from algebra, geometry and trigonometry, number theory and combinatorics. Chapters 4, 5 and 6 give the solutions to problems presented in the first three chapters. In all the chapters, the reader can find numerous challenging problems. All featured solutions are interesting, given in increasing level of difficulty; some of them are real gems that will give great satisfaction to any math lover attempting to solve the problems—or even extend them. I believe strongly that Mathematical Olympiad Treasures will reveal the beauty of mathematics to all students, teachers and all math lovers." —MAA Online

"...this is one of a long recent series of challenging secondary math books, coauthored by Dr. Titu Andreescu and published by Birkhäuser, a series that has definitely enriched the literature on secondary mathematics - a credit to the coauthor and to the wisdom of the editor." —Zentralblatt

Book Info
Text aims at building a bridge between ordinary high school exercises and more sophisticated, intricate, and abstract concepts and problems in undergraduate mathematics. Includes problems in geometry and trigonometry, algebra, number theory, and combinatorics. For undergraduate students. Softcover.

Customer Reviews

A good pedagogical aid for math competition
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.

Helpful for the experience, but not beginners
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

Definitely a treasure!
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!