The Stanford Mathematics Problem Book: With Hints and Solutions (Dover Books on Mathematics)

You would expect a book with this pedigree to be good, and it is. From 1946 to 1965, Stanford University gave high school students a chance to win a scholarship by taking a difficult math test, with just four questions. This book collects those questions, and their answers. The subject matter varies, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Most notably, the questions try to measure not achievement, but aptitude. They require a sound foundation of learning, but also original thinking or a flash of insight. The first question in each set is easiest; a sharp high school student would probably have a reasonable shot at answering it. Then the questions get more difficult. I found it to be a fascinating and enjoyable collection, even when that flash of insight eluded me. Months after I bought it, I still open it occasionally and try a new problem.

My 17 year-old son loves this book so much, that when his bookbag was stolen from his locker during gym he asked me to replace this book! He's on a math team, and they work on problems like this all the time. It must be good!

The difficulty with rating a book like this is deciding what criteria should be used to rate the book. I rated the book as "4 stars" because of my reverence for George Polya. Polya was a great teacher and I have read all of his books. Unfortunately, this book does not teach the art of problem solving. It is simply a collection of interesting and challenging mathematics problems, along with solutions. The problems are very good. The difficulty of the problems depends on your level of experience and knowledge. I have a Ph.D. in mathematics, so I find the problems to be interesting and mildly challenging. A novice, or someone who is struggling to learn mathematics, may find the problems to be impossibly difficult. And when you read the solutions, you might feel stupid, because there is little chance that you would have the genius required to invent the solution. The book omits the human exploratory process of how to actually solve a mathematics problem. Most problem books and research papers omit all the pain, suffering, and hard work that goes between the problem statement and the seemingly miraculous solution. This book is a really great collection of problems, but it will NOT teach you how to create, invent, or solve these kinds of problems. If you want to learn that, I suggest that you read Polya's "How to Solve It, " or Polya's "Mathematics and Plausible Reasoning." To solve mathematics problems, you need knowledge, experience, intuition, passion, hard work, good luck, and a PROCESS that works. This book has none of those things. Read the other two books of Polya's.

I get the book so fast ,thanks. I like it, especially your service attitude. very good! this book is a good resource for problem solving in Mathematics. It is very useful .

quite challenging, more so than most puzzle books. At least for me, a pencil and paper are necessary for this.

I recommend it. There's some cool problems in here! I'd give it a whirl.

Fine on computer but the problems on the Kindle Paperwhite are too small to read. Increasing the font size works for the general text but not for the actual problems. So almost unusable on the Kindle.

This book is exactly what I was looking for. This book will be used in coaching very advanced 5th grade students for the "5th Grade Math Challenge" of Minneapolis Public Schools.

This is a really good little book. The problems all draw insight from the reader and build mathematical confidence without requiring very in depth knowledge. Basic arithmetic skills, a tadge of algebra and geometry... and of course a logical systematic approach. Even relatively little calculus in what I've seen so far. This is because I think the authors want to encourage talent in the essence of mathematical reasoning, without necessitating a large background of knowledge. Every problem is interesting but *within reach* for someone entering university.

Very good book. The problems given inside requires creativity to solve.

Conteúdo perfeito, ajudou bastante nos meus estudos sobre matemática. Recomendo!

Der Fachbereich Mathematik der Stanford Universität veranstaltete von 1946 bis 1965 einen Mathematik- Wettbewerb an den High Schools von California (später auch Arizona, Oregon und Washington), um einerseits das Interesse für Mathematik bei Schülern und Lehrern zu fördern und anderseits die begabtesten Talente für Stanford zu gewinnen; der erste Preis war ein ein- jähriges Stipendium, ferner gab es lobende Erwähnungen und Bücherpreise, später auch Preisgelder. Der Wettbewerb, der jährlich im Frühjahr ausgetragen wurde, bestand jeweils aus 3-5 raffinierter Aufgaben, die die Kandidaten in drei Stunden lösen sollten. Wiewohl die Themen der Aufgaben kaum über den übliche High School Stoff hinausgingen, waren sie doch recht anspruchsvoll, ihre Lösungen erforderten in der Regel ungewöhnliche Herangehensweisen; sie sollten die Studenten zu originellen Denken anregen. Die Idee zu dieser Art Wettbewerb, geht auf den ungarische Mathematiker Roland Eötvös (1894) zurück – mit ähnlichen Intensionen wurden 1959 die Internationale Mathematik- Olympiade ins Leben gerufen, manche Ländern veranstalteten ab den 60iger Jahren Landes- Ausscheide, um ihre Kandidaten für die IMO zu küren. Das vorliegende schlanke Büchlein fasst alle Aufgaben der Stanford Wettbewerbe, nach Jahren geordnet, zusammen. Jeweils in einem eigenen Kapitel findet man Hinweise und Lösungen – jedenfalls die wesentlichen Schritte dazu – für jede Aufgabe. Die Aufgaben haben in den letzten 50 Jahren nichts von ihrem Reiz verloren, sie inspirieren zum eigenständigen Denken, das auch vor Lösungswegen, die manchmal über ein oder zwei 'Banden' führen, nicht kapituliert. Schön, dass Dover Publications diesen Schatz wieder zugänglich gemacht hat.

Really very fast delivery I am totally impressed. Arrived as stated "New"