Rooted in a pedagogically successful problem-solving approach to linear algebra, this work fills a gap in the literature that is sharply divided between, on the one end, elementary texts with only limited exercises and examples, and, at the other end, books too advanced in prerequisites and too specialized in focus to appeal to a wide audience. Instead, it clearly develops the theoretical foundations of vector spaces, linear equations, matrix algebra, eigenvectors, and orthogonality, while simultaneously emphasizing applications to fields such as biology, economics, computer graphics, electrical engineering, cryptography, and political science.Key features: * Intertwined discussion of linear algebra and geometry* Example-driven exposition; each section starts with a concise overview of important concepts, followed by a selection of fully-solved problems* Over 500 problems are carefully selected for instructive appeal, elegance, and theoretical importance; roughly half include complete solutions* Two or more solutions provided to many of the problems; paired solutions range from step-by-step, elementary methods whose purpose is to strengthen basic comprehension to more sophisticated, self-study manual for professional scientists and mathematicians. Complete with bibliography and index, this work is a natural bridge between pure/ applied mathematics and the natural/social sciences, appropriate for any student or researcher who needs a strong footing in the theory, problem-solving, and model-building that are the subject's hallmark. I

This problem-solving book is an introduction to the study of Diophantine equations, a class of equations in which only integer solutions are allowed. The presentation features some classical Diophantine equations, including linear, Pythagorean, and some higher degree equations, as well as exponential Diophantine equations. Many of the selected exercises and problems are original or are presented with original solutions. An Introduction to Diophantine Equations: A Problem-Based Approach is intended for undergraduates, advanced high school students and teachers, mathematical contest participants - including Olympiad and Putnam competitors - as well as readers interested in essential mathematics. The work uniquely presents unconventional and non-routine examples, ideas, and techniques.

This text treats the classical theory of quadratic diophantine equations and guides the reader through the last two decades of computational techniques and progress in the area. The presentation features two basic methods to investigate and motivate the study of quadratic diophantine equations: the theories of continued fractions and quadratic fields. It also discusses Pell's equation and its generalizations, and presents some important quadratic diophantine equations and applications. The inclusion of examples makes this book useful for both research and classroom settings.

"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 toapply techniques and strategies to real-worldproblems.

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.

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Help your students to think critically and creatively through team-based problem solving instead of focusing on testing and outcomes. Professionals throughout the education system are recognizing that standardized testing is holding students back. Schools tend to view children as outcomes rather than as individuals who require guidance on thinking critically and creatively. Awesome Math focuses on team-based problem solving to teach discrete mathematics, a subject essential for success in the STEM careers of the future. Built on the increasingly popular growth mindset, this timely book emphasizes a problem-solving approach for developing the skills necessary to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively. In its current form, math education is a series of exercises: straightforward problems with easily-obtained answers. Problem solving, however, involves multiple creative approaches to solving meaningful and interesting problems. The authors, co-founders of the multi-layered educational organization AwesomeMath, have developed an innovative approach to teaching mathematics that will enable educators to: Move their students beyond the calculus trap to study the areas of mathematics most of them will need in the modern world Show students how problem solving will help them achieve their educational and career goals and form lifelong communities of support and collaboration Encourage and reinforce curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity in their students Get students into the growth mindset, coach math teams, and make math fun again Create lesson plans built on problem based learning and identify and develop educational resources in their schools Awesome Math: Teaching Mathematics with Problem Based Learning is a must-have resource for general education teachers and math specialists in grades 6 to 12, and resource specialists, special education teachers, elementary educators, and other primary education professionals.

This introductory textbook takes a problem-solving approach to number theory, situating each concept within the framework of an example or a problem for solving. Starting with the essentials, the text covers divisibility, unique factorization, modular arithmetic and the Chinese Remainder Theorem, Diophantine equations, binomial coefficients, Fermat and Mersenne primes and other special numbers, and special sequences. Included are sections on mathematical induction and the pigeonhole principle, as well as a discussion of other number systems. By emphasizing examples and applications the authors motivate and engage readers.

This text treats the classical theory of quadratic diophantine equations and guides the reader through the last two decades of computational techniques and progress in the area. The presentation features two basic methods to investigate and motivate the study of quadratic diophantine equations: the theories of continued fractions and quadratic fields. It also discusses Pell's equation and its generalizations, and presents some important quadratic diophantine equations and applications. The inclusion of examples makes this book useful for both research and classroom settings.

Problems in Real Analysis: Advanced Calculus on the Real Axis features a comprehensive collection of challenging problems in mathematical analysis that aim to promote creative, non-standard techniques for solving problems. This self-contained text offers a host of new mathematical tools and strategies which develop a connection between analysis and other mathematical disciplines, such as physics and engineering. A broad view of mathematics is presented throughout; the text is excellent for the classroom or self-study. It is intended for undergraduate and graduate students in mathematics, as well as for researchers engaged in the interplay between applied analysis, mathematical physics, and numerical analysis.

Questions of maxima and minima have great practical significance, with applications to physics, engineering, and economics; they have also given rise to theoretical advances, notably in calculus and optimization. Indeed, while most texts view the study of extrema within the context of calculus, this carefully constructed problem book takes a uniquely intuitive approach to the subject: it presents hundreds of extreme value problems, examples, and solutions primarily through Euclidean geometry. Written by a team of established mathematicians and professors, this work draws on the authors' experience in the classroom and as Olympiad coaches. By exposing readers to a wealth of creative problem-solving approaches, the text communicates not only geometry but also algebra, calculus, and topology. Ideal for use at the junior and senior undergraduate level, as well as in enrichment programs and Olympiad training for advanced high school students, this book's breadth and depth will appeal to a wide audience, from secondary school teachers and pupils to graduate students, professional mathematicians, and puzzle enthusiasts.

"102 Combinatorial Problems" consists of carefully selected problems that have been used in the training and testing of the USA International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) team. Key features: * Provides in-depth enrichment in the important areas of combinatorics by reorganizing and enhancing problem-solving tactics and strategies * Topics include: combinatorial arguments and identities, generating functions, graph theory, recursive relations, sums and products, probability, number theory, polynomials, theory of equations, complex numbers in geometry, algorithmic proofs, combinatorial and advanced geometry, functional equations and classical inequalities The book is systematically organized, gradually building combinatorial skills and techniques and broadening the student's view of mathematics. Aside from its practical use in training teachers and students engaged in mathematical competitions, it is a source of enrichment that is bound to stimulate interest in a variety of mathematical areas that are tangential to combinatorics.

Building bridges between classical results and contemporary nonstandard problems, this highly relevant work embraces important topics in analysis and algebra from a problem-solving perspective. The book is structured to assist the reader in formulating and proving conjectures, as well as devising solutions to important mathematical problems by making connections between various concepts and ideas from different areas of mathematics. Instructors and motivated mathematics students from high school juniors to college seniors will find the work a useful resource in calculus, linear and abstract algebra, analysis and differential equations. Students with an interest in mathematics competitions must have this book in their personal libraries.

It is impossible to imagine modern mathematics without complex numbers. Complex Numbers from A to . . . Z introduces the reader to this fascinating subject that, from the time of L. Euler, has become one of the most utilized ideas in mathematics.

The exposition concentrates on key concepts and then elementary results concerning these numbers. The reader learns how complex numbers can be used to solve algebraic equations and to understand the geometric interpretation of complex numbers and the operations involving them.

The theoretical parts of the book are augmented with rich exercises and problems at various levels of difficulty. A special feature of the book is the last chapter, a selection of outstanding Olympiad and other important mathematical contest problems solved by employing the methods already presented.

The book reflects the unique experience of the authors. It distills a vast mathematical literature, most of which is unknown to the western public, and captures the essence of an abundant problem culture. The target audience includes undergraduates, high school students and their teachers, mathematical contestants (such as those training for Olympiads or the W. L. Putnam Mathematical Competition) and their coaches, as well as anyone interested in essential mathematics.

This book starts with simple arithmetic inequalities and builds to sophisticated inequality results such as the Cauchy-Schwarz and Chebyshev inequalities. Nothing beyond high school algebra is required of the student. The exposition is lean. Most of the learning occurs as the student engages in the problems posed in each chapter. And the learning is not "linear". The central topic of inequalities is linked to others in mathematics. Often these topics relate to much more than algebraic inequalities. There are also "secret" pathways through the book. Each chapter has a subtext, a theme which prepares the student for learning other mathematical topics, concepts, or habits of mind. For example, the early chapters on the arithmetic mean/geometric mean inequality show how very simple observations can be leveraged to yield useful and interesting results. Later chapters give examples of how one can generalize a mathematical statement. The chapter on the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality provides an introduction to vectors as mathematical objects. And there are many other secret pathways that the authors hope the reader will discover-and follow. In the interest of fostering a greater awareness and appreciation of mathematics and its connections to other disciplines and everyday life, MSRI and the AMS are publishing books in the Mathematical Circles Library series as a service to young people, their parents and teachers, and the mathematics profession.

Hundreds of beautiful, challenging, and instructive problems from algebra, geometry, trigonometry, combinatorics, and number theory

Historical insights and asides are presented to stimulate further inquiry

Emphasis is on creative solutions to open-ended problems

Many examples, problems and solutions, with a user-friendly and accessible style

Enhanced motivatio

References

* Problem-solving tactics and practical test-taking techniques provide in-depth enrichment and preparation for various math competitions

* Comprehensive introduction to trigonometric functions, their relations and functional properties, and their applications in the Euclidean plane and solid geometry

* A cogent problem-solving resource for advanced high school students, undergraduates, and mathematics teachers engaged in competition training

A Path to Combinatorics for Undergraduates is a lively introduction not only to combinatorics, but also to mathematical ingenuity, rigor, and the joy of solving puzzles. This unique approach to combinatorics is centered around unconventional, essay-type combinatorial examples, followed by a number of carefully selected, challenging problems and extensive discussions of their solutions. Topics encompass permutations and combinations, binomial coefficients and their applications, bijections, inclusions and exclusions, and generating functions. Each chapter features fully-worked problems, including many from Olympiads and other competitions, as well as a number of problems original to the authors; at the end of each chapter are further exercises to reinforce understanding, encourage creativity, and build a repertory of problem-solving techniques.

The authors' previous text, 102 Combinatorial Problems, makes a fine companion volume to the present work, which is ideal for Olympiad participants and coaches, advanced high school students, undergraduates, and college instructors. The book's unusual problems and examples will interest seasoned mathematicians as well.

The Mathematical Olympiad examinations, covering the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) and the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), have been published annually since 1976. This is the fourth volume in that series. The IMO is a world mathematics competition for high school students that takes place each year in a different country. Students from all over the world participate in this competition. These Olympiad style exams consist of several challenging essay-type problems. Although a correct and complete solution to an Olympiad problem often requires deep analysis and careful argument, the problems require no more than a solid background in high school mathematics coupled with a dose of mathematical ingenuity. There are helpful hints provided for each of the problems. These hints often help lead the student to a solution of the problem. Complete solutions to each of the problems is also included, and many of the problems are presented together with a collection of remarkable solutions developed by the examination committees, contestants and experts, during or after the contest. For each problem with multiple solutions, some common crucial results are presented at the beginning of these solutions.

Rooted in a pedagogically successful problem-solving approach to linear algebra, the present work fills a gap in the literature that is sharply divided between elementary texts and books that are too advanced to appeal to a wide audience. It clearly develops the theoretical foundations of vector spaces, linear equations, matrix algebra, eigenvectors, and orthogonality, while simultaneously emphasizing applications and connections to fields such as biology, economics, computer graphics, electrical engineering, cryptography, and political science. Ideal as an introduction to linear algebra, the extensive exercises and well-chosen applications also make this text suitable for advanced courses at the junior or senior undergraduate level. Furthermore, it can serve as a colorful supplementary problem book, reference, or self-study manual for professional scientists and mathematicians. Complete with bibliography and index, "Essential Linear Algebra with Applications" is a natural bridge between pure and applied mathematics and the natural and social sciences, appropriate for any student or researcher who needs a strong footing in the theory, problem-solving, and model-building that are the subject's hallmark.

This is the third volume of problems that cover the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) and the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) to be published by the MAA in its Problem Book series. The aims of the IMO are: to discover, encourage and challenge mathematically gifted young people in all countries; to foster friendships between mathematicians around the world; and to create an opportunity for the exchange of information on school syllabi and practice throughout the world. The USAMO and the Team Selection Test (TST) are the last two stages of the selection process leading to representing the USA in the IMO. The preceding examinations are the AMC 10 or AMC 12 and the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). Participation in the AIME, USAMO, and the TST is by invitation only, based on performance in the preceding exams of the sequence. All of these contests identify and recognize young gifted mathematicians while they are still in secondary school. Participation in these competitions provides them with the chance to measure themselves against other exceptional students from all over the world.

This book takes the reader on a journey through the world of college mathematics, focusing on some of the most important concepts and results in the theories of polynomials, linear algebra, real analysis, differential equations, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, elementary number theory, combinatorics, and probability. Preliminary material provides an overview of common methods of proof: argument by contradiction, mathematical induction, pigeonhole principle, ordered sets, and invariants. Each chapter systematically presents a single subject within which problems are clustered in each section according to the specific topic. The exposition is driven by nearly 1300 problems and examples chosen from numerous sources from around the world; many original contributions come from the authors. The source, author, and historical background are cited whenever possible. Complete solutions to all problems are given at the end of the book. This second edition includes new sections on quad ratic polynomials, curves in the plane, quadratic fields, combinatorics of numbers, and graph theory, and added problems or theoretical expansion of sections on polynomials, matrices, abstract algebra, limits of sequences and functions, derivatives and their applications, Stokes' theorem, analytical geometry, combinatorial geometry, and counting strategies. Using the W.L. Putnam Mathematical Competition for undergraduates as an inspiring symbol to build an appropriate math background for graduate studies in pure or applied mathematics, the reader is eased into transitioning from problem-solving at the high school level to the university and beyond, that is, to mathematical research. This work may be used as a study guide for the Putnam exam, as a text for many different problem-solving courses, and as a source of problems for standard courses in undergraduate mathematics. Putnam and Beyond is organized for independent study by undergraduate and gradu ate students, as well as teachers and researchers in the physical sciences who wish to expand their mathematical horizons.

This book is a continuation of Mathematical Olympiads 1999 2000: Problems and Solutions From Around the World, published by the Mathematical Association of America. It contains solutions to the problems from 27 national and regional contests featured in the earlier book, together with selected problems (without solutions) from national and regional contests given during 2001. In many cases multiple solutions are provided in order to encourage students to compare different problem-solving strategies. The editors have tried to present a wide variety of problems, especially from those countries that have often done well at the IMO. The problems themselves should provide much enjoyment for all those fascinated by solving challenging mathematics questions.