Read This! The MAA Online book review column Mathematical Olympiads: Problems and Solutions From Around the World, 1999-2000 edited by Titu Andreescu and Zuming Feng Reviewed by Mihaela Poplicher

Anyone interested in mathematical problem solving will be challenged by the problems included in this book. Since it includes problems from all over the world, especially from those countries that have done well at the IMO over the years, the book is useful in particular for those students who are looking forward to the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) or for any mathematical competition. But even if some students don't compete in these contests they might be interested in solving some of the problems included. Also, mathematicians and mathematics teachers will enjoy the challenge of these problems... and the memories they may trigger!

Certainly all high school and undergraduate libraries should have copies of this book, as well as the other books in this series. Mathematics teachers and students who prepare for mathematics contests should have on their shelves as many problem books as possible — and the MAA Problem Books Series are definitely a must. We are very fortunate that the Mathematical Association of America has decided to begin this series of books, and we hope that it will be an ongoing series for many years to come. Already there is in print a book with problems from the 2001 Olympiads.

The problems included in the book are not of uniform difficulty: there are some problems which are not too hard, but there are some which are rather difficult. Hence, there is something for everybody. From the rich collection of solved problems (some with more than one solution given) one can learn quite a variety of problem solving techniques. The more recent sets of problems-without solutions-can very well serve as practice problems or as starting points of discussions of some topics or problem solving techniques. And, somebody who finds himself/herself in serious difficulty might just wait for the solutions that will be included (we hope) in the next book of the series.

In the end, all of us who love challenging mathematical problems but can no longer take part in mathematical contests would like to wish "good luck" to all the bright and serious students who will use this book. We hope that that the results will compensate their genuine efforts.

Publication Data:

Mihaela Poplicher is an assistant professor of mathematics at the University of Cincinnati. Her research interests include functional analysis, harmonic analysis, and complex analysis. She is also interested in the teaching of mathematics. Her email address is Mihaela.Poplicher@uc.edu.

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Read This! is the MAA Online book review column. Contributions are welcome; contact the editor if you'd like to be one of our reviewers. Books for review should be sent to the editor: Fernando Gouvêa, Dept. of Mathematics, Colby College, Waterville, ME 04901. Publishers, please check our reviews information page.