Topics in Algebra and Analysis

The techniques presented here are useful for solving mathematical contest problems in algebra and analysis. Most of the examples and exercises that appear in the book originate from mathematical Olympiad competitions around the world. In the first four chapters the authors cover material for competitions at high school level. The level advances with the chapters. The topics explored include polynomials, functional equations, sequences and an elementary treatment of complex numbers. The final chapters provide a comprehensive list of problems posed at national and international contests in recent years, and solutions to all exercises and problems presented in the book. It helps students in preparing for national and international mathematical contests form high school level to more advanced competitions and will also be useful for their first year of mathematical studies at the university. It will be of interest to teachers in college and university level, and trainers of the mathematical Olympiads.

Illustrates mathematical Olympiad topics with exercises Explains the theory of algebra and analysis as used in mathematical contests Provides key observation on how to attack functional equations Presents interesting ways to tackle known problems such as double counting arguments to find sums of natural numbers

Autorentext
Radmila Bulajich Manfrino and Rogelio Valdez Delgado are professors at the Universidad Autónoma de Mexico in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and José Antonio Gómez Ortega is professor at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in Mexico City. They are the co-authors of the previously published Birkhäuser book: Inequalities - A Mathematical Olympiad Approach.

Inhalt

1. Preliminaries.- 2 Progressions and finite sums.- 3 Induction principle.- 4 Quadratic and cubic polynomials.- 5 Complex numbers.- 6 Functions and functional equations.- 7 Sequences and series.- 8 Polynomials.- 9 Problems.- 10 Solutions of the exercises and problems.- Notation.- Bibliography.- Index.