The 39 self-contained sections in this book present worked-out examples as well as many sample problems categorized by the level of difficulty as Bronze, Silver, and Gold in order to help the readers gauge their progress and learning. Detailed solutions to all problems in each section are provided at the end of each chapter. The book can be used not only as a text but also for self-study. The text covers algebra (solving single equations and systems of equations of varying degrees, algebraic manipulations for creative problem solving, inequalities, basic set theory, sequences and series, rates and proportions, unit analysis, and percentages), probability (counting techniques, introductory probability theory, more set theory, permutations and combinations, expected value, and symmetry), and number theory (prime factorizations and their applications, Diophantine equations, number bases, modular arithmetic, and divisibility). It focuses on guiding students through creative problem-solving and on teaching them to apply their knowledge in a wide variety of scenarios rather than rote memorization of mathematical facts. It is aimed at, but not limited to, high-performing middle school students and goes further in depth and teaches new concepts not otherwise taught in traditional public schools.

The New Mexico Mathematics Contest for high-school students has been held annually since 1966. Each November, thousands of middle- and high-school students from all over New Mexico converge to battle with elementary but tricky math problems. The 200 highest-scoring students meet for the second round the following February at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque where they listen to a prominent mathematician give a keynote lecture, have lunch, and then get down to round two, an even more challenging set of mathematical mind-twisters. Liong-shin Hahn was charged with the task of creating a new set of problems each year for the New Mexico Mathematics Contest, 1990-1999. In this volume, Hahn has collected the 138 best problems to appear in these contests over the last decades. They range from the simple to the highly challenging--none are trivial. The solutions contain many clever analyses and often display uncommon ingenuity. His questions are always interesting and relevant to teenage contestants. Young people training for competitions will not only learn a great deal of useful mathematics from this book but, and this is much more important, they will take a step toward learning to love mathematics.

MIT Professor Glenn Ellison has spent more than a decade coaching math teams and developing math enrichment materials for his daughters and their classmates. His middle school Hard Math textbook and workbook contain the materials he used while coaching many successful Mathcounts teams. They are a labor of love sold at bargain prices with the hope that they will help students around the world develop a deep understanding of middle school math and enjoy every minute of it. The topics align with modern middle school curricula: fractions, decimals, percents, prime factorization, plane and spatial geometry, probability, statistics, combinatorics, algebra, modular arithmetic, etc. But Hard Math challenges students to develop a deeper understanding: it asks much harder questions than standard texts and teaches the material and problem solving strategies students need to attack them. For example, rather than asking students to write 2/5 as a decimal, it might ask students to use the fact that 99999 = 9 × 41 × 271 to find the tenth digit in the decimal expansion for 1/271. (It might ask this, but never actually does.) The personal and somewhat irreverent prose in the IMLEM Plus edition of Hard Math for Middle School speaks directly to students participating in both the Intermediate Math League of Eastern Massachusetts and Mathcounts(r). The organization of the book is also designed to serve IMLEM students. But middle school math is middle school math and the book should be great for students preparing for other math contests or just looking for general enrichment or hard problems to do. Hard Math for Middle School: Workbook, sold separately, contains over 100 worksheets. The worksheets have problems at different difficulty levels that students can use to solidify their understanding of the material in each section of the textbook. It would be crazy to buy this text and not also get a copy of the workbook unless your child is using this book in school or in an enrichment program that is already providing plenty of practice problems. Solutions to many of the problems in the workbook are currently available for free on Prof. Ellison's website. Mathcounts(r) is a registered trademark of the Mathcounts Foundation, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this book.

Based on Stanford University's well-known competitive exam, this excellent mathematics workbook offers students at both high school and college levels a complete set of problems, hints, and solutions. 1974 edition.

This book can be used by students in grades 3-5: (1) who seek material more challenging than they typically encounter in their math classroom, and (2) who would like to build a solid problem solving foundation for future math competitions such as AMC 8, Mathcounts, and other math competitions. Each chapter consists of (1) basic skill and knowledge section with plenty of examples, (2) exercise problems, and (3) detailed solutions to all exercise problems.

This is a combo volume that incorporates all four volumes for level 1. The interior of the 4 in 1 volume is always updated to contain the latest edition of the individual volumes. About "Competitive Mathematics for Gifted Students" This series provides practice materials and short theory reminders for students who aim to excel at problem solving. Material is introduced in a structured manner: each new concept is followed by a problem set that explores the content in detail. Each book ends with a problem set that reviews both concepts presented in the current volume and related topics from previous volumes. The series forms a learning continuum that explores strategies specific to competitive mathematics in depth and breadth. Full solutions explain both reasoning and execution. Often, several solutions are contrasted. The problem selection emphasizes comprehension, critical thinking, observation, and avoiding repetitive and mechanical procedures. Ready to participate in a math competition such as MOEMS, Math Kangaroo in USA, or Noetic Math? This series will open the doors to consistent performance. About Level 1 This level of the series is designed for students who know addition and subtraction with multi-digit numbers as well as simple multiplications of one-digit numbers. Some of the problems, however, involve advanced concepts and may be useful for older students.

" ... offer[s] a challenging exploration of problem solving mathematics and preparation for programs such as MATHCOUNTS and the American Mathematics Competition."--Back cover