This book gathers the best presentations from the Topic Study Group 30: Mathematics Competitions at ICME-13 in Hamburg, and some from related groups, focusing on the field of working with gifted students. Each of the chapters includes not only original ideas, but also original mathematical problems and their solutions. The book is a valuable resource for researchers in mathematics education, secondary and college mathematics teachers around the globe as well as their gifted students.
One of the most effective ways to stimulate students to enjoy intellectual efforts is the scientific competition. In 1894 the Hungarian Mathematical and Physical Society introduced a mathematical competition for high school students. The success of high school competitions led the Mathematical Society to found a college level contest, named after Miklós Schweitzer. The problems of the Schweitzer Contests are proposed and selected by the most prominent Hungarian mathematicians. This book collects the problems posed in the contests between 1962 and 1991 which range from algebra, combinatorics, theory of functions, geometry, measure theory, number theory, operator theory, probability theory, topology, to set theory. The second part contains the solutions. The Schweitzer competition is one of the most unique in the world. The experience shows that this competition helps to identify research talents. This collection of problems and solutions in several fields in mathematics can serve as a guide for many undergraduates and young mathematicians. The large variety of research level problems might be of interest for more mature mathematicians and historians of mathematics as well.
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.
This basic introduction to number theory is ideal for those with no previous knowledge of the subject. The main topics of divisibility, congruences, and the distribution of prime numbers are covered. Of particular interest is the inclusion of a proof for one of the most famous results in mathematics, the prime number theorem. With many examples and exercises, and only requiring knowledge of a little calculus and algebra, this book will suit individuals with imagination and interest in following a mathematical argument to its conclusion.
The two volumes of Engaging Young Students in Mathematics through Competitions present a wide scope of aspects relating to mathematics competitions and their meaning in the world of mathematical research, teaching and entertainment.Volume I contains a wide variety of fascinating mathematical problems of the type often presented at mathematics competitions as well as papers by an international group of authors involved in problem development, in which we can get a sense of how such problems are created in various specialized areas of competition mathematics as well as recreational mathematics.It will be of special interest to anyone interested in solving original mathematics problems themselves for enjoyment to improve their skills. It will also be of special interest to anyone involved in the area of problem development for competitions, or just for recreational purposes.The various chapters were written by the participants of the 8th Congress of the World Federation of National Mathematics Competitions in Austria in 2018.
Held annually in Moscow since 1990, the Mathematical Festival is a brilliant and fascinating math competition attended by hundreds of middle school students. This contains problems presented at the Festival during the years 1990-2011, along with hints and solutions for many of them. Most of the problems are accessible to students with no additional training in mathematics and may be used as supplementary material at school or at home.
Engaging Young Students in Mathematics through Competitions presents a wide range of topics relating to mathematics competitions and their meaning in the world of mathematical research, teaching and entertainment. Following the earlier two volumes, contributors explore a wide variety of fascinating problems of the type often presented at mathematics competitions. In this new third volume, many chapters are directly related to the challenges involved in organizing competitions under Covid-19, including many positive aspects resulting from the transition to online formats. There are also sections devoted to background information on connections between the mathematics of competitions and their organization, as well as the competitions' interplay with research, teaching and more.The various chapters are written by an international group of authors involved in problem development, many of whom were participants of the 9th Congress of the World Federation of National Mathematics Competitions in Bulgaria in 2022. Together, they provide a deep sense of the issues involved in creating such problems for competition mathematics and recreational mathematics.
