New MAA Book: The Alberta High School Math Competitions 1957–2006

October 1, 2009

The Alberta High School Math Competitions 1957–2006: A Canadian Problem Book
Compiled and edited by Andy Liu
283 pp., hardcover, 2009. Series: Problem Books
ISBN: 978-0-88385-830-1
 
Begun in 1957, the Alberta High School Mathematics Competition is the oldest Canadian mathematical contest at the provincial level. This book divides its 50-year history of problems and solutions into three periods: 1957–66 (Ancient); 1967–83 (Medieval); and 1984–2006 (Modern), during much of which renowned problem creator and solver Murray Klamkin (1921-2004) led the problem committee. The distinct periods reflect changes in high school math curricula and the later emphasis on innovative and challenging problems.

The book provides all the problems (with answers) offered in the first 50 years of the competition. Taken together, this unique collection of problems represents an interesting and valuable resource for students preparing for mathematics contests.

This book is part of the MAA's Problem Books series and is published in collaboration with the Canadian Mathematical Society.

Sample (p. 136)
February 2, 2000

1. A goblin with strength 8 is fighting two elves with respective strengths 6 and 10, but one at a time. When a character with strength x fights a character with strength y, the first beats the second with probability x/(x + y), and the victor's new strength afterwards becomes the maximum of x and y. The goblin wins if it beats both elves, and the elves win otherwise.

(a) Which elf should fight first if the elves want to maximize their chances of winning?

(b) What is the answer to the question in (a) if the strength of the victor is x + y instead?

About the Editor:
Andy Liu is a professor of mathematics at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. He won the MAA's Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Teaching Award in 2004. He is very well known in problem-solving circles and was Editor of the problem section of Math Horizons for seven years.

Order The Alberta High School Math Competitions 1957–2006 from the MAA Bookstore or call 1.800.331.1622.
List: $61.50
MAA Member Price: $49.95