Mathematical Circles: Russian Experience

by Dmitri Fomin, Sergey Genkin, Ilia V. Itenberg

"This is a sample of rich Russian mathematical culture written by professional mathematicians with great experience in working with high school students ... Problems are on very simple levels, but building to more complex and advanced work ... [contains] solutions to almost all problems; methodological notes for the teacher ... developed for a peculiarly Russian institution (the mathematical circle), but easily adapted to American teachers' needs, both inside and outside the classroom." --from the Translator's notes What kind of book is this? It is a book produced by a remarkable cultural circumstance in the former Soviet Union which fostered the creation of groups of students, teachers, and mathematicians called "mathematical circles". The work is predicated on the idea that studying mathematics can generate the same enthusiasm as playing a team sport--without necessarily being competitive. This book is intended for both students and teachers who love mathematics and want to study its various branches beyond the limits of school curriculum. It is also a book of mathematical recreations and, at the same time, a book containing vast theoretical and problem material in main areas of what authors consider to be "extracurricular mathematics". The book is based on a unique experience gained by several generations of Russian educators and scholars.

Genres: Mathematics, Science, Technical, Nonfiction, Technology

272 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1996

Reviews

[Varun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains great problems, tutorials, and solutions in mathematics that is not taught in regular school. There are many invaluable techniques such as Euclid's Algorithm in the book, which are taught very well. There are plenty of problems too. They range in difficulty from moderate to very difficult. This book is great for people who enjoy math, and want to learn more about it.

[Kiira · Rating 5 out of 5]

i didn't expect this book would to make me laugh

[Paulo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantástico recopilatorio de problemas matemáticos. Es una buena forma de aprender técnicas y argumentos que habitualmente no se ven en los cursos del instituto, pues el libro está enfocado a concursos matemáticos como la Olimpiada. Concursos cuyos problemas habitualmente van más allá del currículum escolar.

Trata diversos temas: paridad, combinatoria, divisibilidad y restos, el principio del palomar, grafos, juegos, inducción, invariantes, geometría, sistemas de numeración y desigualdades. Y para terminar trae un apéndice en el que propone y explica varios tipos de concursos matemáticos que se celebran en Rusia.

El principal objetivo del libro es servir como colección de problemas. Resuelve buena parte de ellos, en otros muchos da simplemente una indicación o una pista y solo deja unos pocos a total disposición del lector. Además va intercalando algunas explicaciones sobre cada tema y pequeños consejos para el profesor que vaya a utilizar estos problemas.

He leído la edición en castellano, y tiene algunos errores de traducción, sospecho que en gran parte debidos al paso intermedio, pues no está traducido directamente del ruso sino de la edición inglesa.

[Suraj Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely read. great questions and awesome experience.

[Shivam Asati]

Good Book