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Contest mathematics learning recommendations
From Cognito
This page provides subject-specific learning recommendations for the subject contest mathematics. See all our learning recommendations pages |
Contents
Top recommendations for comprehensive coverage of contest mathematics topics and problem-solving techniques
Books detailing problem-solving strategies with lots of problems
If you are serious about contest mathematics, try to get at least one of these books, and if you can afford it, try to get all of these books.
| Book | Author | ISBN and purchase links | Strengths | Cost estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Problem-Solving Strategies | Arthur Engel | ISBN 978-0387982199, Amazon paperback | Covers all the major topics, with questions at a wide range of difficulty levels. Has brief descriptions of specific problem-solving strategies and a few worked problems, but mostly relies on a long list of problems with solutions at the back. The book does not restrict itself to "typical" contest problems, and it includes a number of offbeat problem-solving themes. |
~$75 (buy), ~$25 (rent) |
| The Art and Craft of Problem Solving | Paul Zeitz | ISBN 978-0471789017, Amazon paperback | Goes into considerable detail into the general process of thinking about problems, and follows that up with a specific discussion of particular topics and problem-solving strategies. | ~$66 (buy), ~$17 (rent) |
| The Art of Problem Solving | Sandor Lehoczky and Richard Rusczyk | Vol. 1: ISBN 978-0977304561, Amazon paperback, Art of Problem Solving bookstore Vol. 2: ISBN 978-097730458, Amazon paperback, Art of Problem Solving bookstore |
~$30-35 each on Amazon ~$40-45 each on the Art of Problem Solving bookstore | |
| Total | ~$200-250 (if you buy all the books) |
Videos on problem-solving
- A video course based on the book by Paul Zeitz is available here. The list price is around $220, but at the time of access (March 5, 2014) the videos are available for $60.
- Thirteen Problems with Paul Zeitz and Thirteen Problems with Paul Zeitz (Part 2)
Books with interesting lists of challenging problems and very brief discussions of strategy
| Book | Author | ISBN and purchase links | Strengths | Cost estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Olympiad Challenges | Titu Andreescu and Razvan Gelca | ISBN 978-0817645281, Amazon paperback | Has many beautiful and hard problems and elegant techniques. Favorably reviewed on Amazon and elsewhere. | ~$40 (both paperback and Kindle edition) |
Recommendations broken down by subject area
The answer wiki for the Quora question What are the best resources for preparing for the IMO? is fairly comprehensive.
Websites with practice systems and training
- Art of Problem Solving has forums, offers (paid) classes, and has a free online practice system called Alcumus.
- Brilliant offers a free and extensive online practice system.
