The Stanford Mathematics Problem Book: With Hints and Solutions (Dover Books on Mathematics) Kindle Edition

The difficulty with rating a book like this is deciding what criteria should be used to rate the book. I rated the book as "4 stars" because of my reverence for George Polya. Polya was a great teacher and I have read all of his books. Unfortunately, this book does not teach the art of problem solving. It is simply a collection of interesting and challenging mathematics problems, along with solutions. The problems are very good. The difficulty of the problems depends on your level of experience and knowledge. I have a Ph.D. in mathematics, so I find the problems to be interesting and mildly challenging. A novice, or someone who is struggling to learn mathematics, may find the problems to be impossibly difficult. And when you read the solutions, you might feel stupid, because there is little chance that you would have the genius required to invent the solution. The book omits the human exploratory process of how to actually solve a mathematics problem. Most problem books and research papers omit all the pain, suffering, and hard work that goes between the problem statement and the seemingly miraculous solution. This book is a really great collection of problems, but it will NOT teach you how to create, invent, or solve these kinds of problems. If you want to learn that, I suggest that you read Polya's "How to Solve It, " or Polya's "Mathematics and Plausible Reasoning." To solve mathematics problems, you need knowledge, experience, intuition, passion, hard work, good luck, and a PROCESS that works. This book has none of those things. Read the other two books of Polya's.

You would expect a book with this pedigree to be good, and it is.From 1946 to 1965, Stanford University gave high school students a chance to win a scholarship by taking a difficult math test, with just four questions. This book collects those questions, and their answers. The subject matter varies, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.Most notably, the questions try to measure not achievement, but aptitude. They require a sound foundation of learning, but also original thinking or a flash of insight. The first question in each set is easiest; a sharp high school student would probably have a reasonable shot at answering it. Then the questions get more difficult. I found it to be a fascinating and enjoyable collection, even when that flash of insight eluded me. Months after I bought it, I still open it occasionally and try a new problem.

I recommend it. There's some cool problems in here! I'd give it a whirl.

A great way to spend some time while standing in line or waiting for an appointment.

some problems are not so simple!

This was far over my head.

This is an interesting little book for anyone who wants to bend their brain up for a little diversion or just for fun. This book is based on a test that was given to high school students to award the best a chance at a scholarship to college. This is the complete battery of problems that was given (I think minus one or two years that could not be found) to high school students in several schools. Although the problems are "high school level", it is immediately obvious that the level of problems given during this testing was a little more advanced from what is today perceived as high school mathematics.Very enjoyable book for stretching your mind.

Fine on computer but the problems on the Kindle Paperwhite are too small to read. Increasing the font size works for the general text but not for the actual problems. So almost unusable on the Kindle.

Good set of problems on a range of different areas. The hints and solutions provide a good way into each problem individually and problems that fall into the same class of solution. The only improvement that I would suggest is that alternate solutions from the problems are also presented along with any common mistakes.

I bought this as a gift for my husband, who is a mathematician. he thinks it is brilliant, so I think I can highly recommend it on his behalf!

Not a bad book, but aimed more at pure mathematics undergrads rather than applied/engineering matematicians.

A slim volume. Tough questions. Intended to identify the brightest high school kids. Definitely not for the average teenager.

Seems like a good book but looks more a level than university.