First steps in Combinatorics, Arithmetic and Algebra

Authors

Description

The first math circles were created over a century ago in Bulgaria and Russia with three purposes: to teach mathematics through problem-solving, to bring experienced researchers closer to young students, and to promote emulation through competitions imbued with the Olympic spirit. Math circles currently exist in several countries, including Brazil.

The Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad for Public Schools (OBMEP) was created in 2005 and has been increasingly successful in identifying young people with mathematical talent, training students and teachers in basic education, and producing teaching materials. Every year, more than 18 million students from the 6th grade of elementary school to the 3rd year of high school from public and private schools participate in OBMEP.

In this book, the reader will find problems mostly drawn from mathematics competitions for elementary school students. Each chapter presents a set of questions, ordered in increasing order of difficulty, along with their solutions. The solutions do not require in-depth mathematical knowledge, just a little logic, the ability to organize thoughts, and, in some cases, an ingenious idea. The problems cover two important areas of mathematics, counting and arithmetic, and can serve as a fun way to learn these subjects.

Target audience

Middle school