First Steps for Math Olympians: Using the American Mathematics Competitions (Problem Books) (MAA Problem Book Series) - Hardcover

Faires, J. Douglas

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 088385824X ISBN 13: 9780883858240

Publisher: American Mathematical Society, 2006

Synopsis

This book considers the basic ideas behind the solutions to the majority of the problems from 50 years of the American Mathematics Competitions. Anyone interested in logical problem solving should find the problems and their solutions stimulating, and those preparing for the Mathematical Olympiad will discover many useful ideas.

About this title

About the Author

J. Douglas Faires received his Ph.D from the University of South Carolina in 1970. He has been the National Director of the AMC-10 Competition of the American Mathematics Competitions (sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America) since 1999.

From the Back Cover

A major aspect of mathematical training and its benefit to society is the ability to use logic to solve problems. The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) have been given for more than fifty years to millions of high school 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 taking the AMC exams or helping students prepare for them will find many useful ideas here. But people generally interested in logical problem solving should also find the problems and their solutions interesting. This book will promote interest in mathematics by providing students with the tools to attack problems that occur on mathematical problem-solving exams, and specifically to level the playing field for those who do not have access to the enrichment programs that are common at the top academic high schools. The book can be used either for self-study or to give people who want to help students prepare for mathematics exams easy access to topic-oriented material and samples of problems based on that material. This is useful for teachers who want to hold special sessions for students, but it is equally valuable for parents who have children with mathematical interest and ability. As students’ problem solving abilities improve, they will be able to comprehend more difficult concepts requiring greater mathematical ingenuity. They will be taking their first steps towards becoming math Olympians!

Edition details

• Publisher: American Mathematical Society
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 088385824X
• ISBN 13: 9780883858240
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 325