This book, written by an accomplished female mathematician, is the second to explore nonstandard mathematical problems – those that are not directly solved by standard mathematical methods but instead rely on insight and the synthesis of a variety of mathematical ideas. It promotes mental activity as well as greater mathematical skills, and is an ideal resource for successful preparation for the mathematics Olympiad. Numerous strategies and techniques are presented that can be used to solve intriguing and challenging problems of the type often found in competitions. The author uses a friendly, non-intimidating approach to emphasize connections between different fields of mathematics and often proposes several different ways to attack the same problem. Topics covered include functions and their properties, polynomials, trigonometric and transcendental equations and inequalities, optimization, differential equations, nonlinear systems, and word problems. Over 360 problems are included with hints, answers, and detailed solutions. Methods of Solving Nonstandard Problems will interest high school and college students, whether they are preparing for a math competition or looking to improve their mathematical skills, as well as anyone who enjoys an intellectual challenge and has a special love for mathematics. Teachers and college professors will be able to use it as an extra resource in the classroom to augment a conventional course of instruction in order to stimulate abstract thinking and inspire original thought.

This book aims to dispel the mystery and fear experienced by students surrounding sequences, series, convergence, and their applications. The author, an accomplished female mathematician, achieves this by taking a problem solving approach, starting with fascinating problems and solving them step by step with clear explanations and illuminating diagrams. The reader will find the problems interesting, unusual, and fun, yet solved with the rigor expected in a competition. Some problems are taken directly from mathematics competitions, with the name and year of the exam provided for reference. Proof techniques are emphasized, with a variety of methods presented. The text aims to expand the mind of the reader by often presenting multiple ways to attack the same problem, as well as drawing connections with different fields of mathematics. Intuitive and visual arguments are presented alongside technical proofs to provide a well-rounded methodology. With nearly 300 problems including hints, answers, and solutions, Methods of Solving Sequences and Series Problems is an ideal resource for those learning calculus, preparing for mathematics competitions, or just looking for a worthwhile challenge. It can also be used by faculty who are looking for interesting and insightful problems that are not commonly found in other textbooks.

Through its engaging and unusual problems, this book demonstrates methods of reasoning necessary for learning number theory. Every technique is followed by problems (as well as detailed hints and solutions) that apply theorems immediately, so readers can solve a variety of abstract problems in a systematic, creative manner. New solutions often require the ingenious use of earlier mathematical concepts - not the memorization of formulas and facts. Questions also often permit experimental numeric validation or visual interpretation to encourage the combined use of deductive and intuitive thinking. The first chapter starts with simple topics like even and odd numbers, divisibility, and prime numbers and helps the reader to solve quite complex, Olympiad-type problems right away. It also covers properties of the perfect, amicable, and figurate numbers and introduces congruence. The next chapter begins with the Euclidean algorithm, explores the representations of integer numbers in different bases, and examines continued fractions, quadratic irrationalities, and the Lagrange Theorem. The last section of Chapter Two is an exploration of different methods of proofs. The third chapter is dedicated to solving Diophantine linear and nonlinear equations and includes different methods of solving Fermat’s (Pell’s) equations. It also covers Fermat’s factorization techniques and methods of solving challenging problems involving exponent and factorials. Chapter Four reviews the Pythagorean triple and quadruple and emphasizes their connection with geometry, trigonometry, algebraic geometry, and stereographic projection. A special case of Waring’s problem as a representation of a number by the sum of the squares or cubes of other numbers is covered, as well as quadratic residuals, Legendre and Jacobi symbols, and interesting word problems related to the properties of numbers. Appendices provide a historic overview of number theory and its main developments from the ancient cultures in Greece, Babylon, and Egypt to the modern day. Drawing from cases collected by an accomplished female mathematician, Methods in Solving Number Theory Problems is designed as a self-study guide or supplementary textbook for a one-semester course in introductory number theory. It can also be used to prepare for mathematical Olympiads. Elementary algebra, arithmetic and some calculus knowledge are the only prerequisites. Number theory gives precise proofs and theorems of an irreproachable rigor and sharpens analytical thinking, which makes this book perfect for anyone looking to build their mathematical confidence.

Using only the very elementary framework of finite probability spaces, this book treats a number of topics in the modern theory of stochastic processes. This is made possible by using a small amount of Abraham Robinson's nonstandard analysis and not attempting to convert the results into conventional form.

The main purpose of this book is to provide a concise introduction to the methods and philosophy of constructing nonstandard finite difference schemes and illustrate how such techniques can be applied to several important problems. Chapter 1 gives an overview of the subject and summarizes previous work. Chapters 2 and 3 consider in detail the construction and numerical implementation of schemes for physical problems involving convection–diffusion–reaction equations that arise in groundwater pollution and scattering of electromagnetic waves using Maxwell's equations. Chapter 4 examines certain mathematical issues related to the nonstandard discretization of competitive and cooperative models for ecology. Chapter 5 discusses exactness, stability properties, and the symplecticity of various schemes including the conditions for which Runge–Kutta methods are exact. The application chapters illustrate well the power of nonstandard methods. In particular, for the same accuracy as obtained by standard techniques, larger step sizes can be used. This volume will satisfy the needs of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who wish to know how to construct nonstandard schemes and see how these are applied to obtain numerical solutions of the differential equations which arise in the study of nonlinear dynamical systems modeling important physical phenomena. Contents:Nonstandard Finite Difference Schemes (R E Mickens)Nonstandard Methods for Advection–Diffusion–Reaction Equations (H V Kojouharov & B M Chen)Application of Nonstandard Finite Differences to Solve the Wave Equation and Maxwell's Equations (J B Cole)Nonstandard Discretization Methods for Some Biological Models (H Al-Kahby et al.)An Introduction to Numerical Integrators Preserving Physical Properties (M J Gander & R Meyer-Spasche) Readership: Researchers in applied mathematics and in the natural and engineering sciences who wish to apply nonstandard finite difference methods. Keywords:Nonstandard Finite Difference Methods;Advection-Diffusion-Reaction Equations;Wave Equations;Discrete-Time Models;Maxwell Equations;Numerical Integrators;Discrete Dynamics;Nonlinear Differential Equations

This volume provides a concise introduction to the methodology of nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) schemes construction and shows how they can be applied to the numerical integration of differential equations occurring in the natural, biomedical, and engineering sciences. These methods had their genesis in the work of Mickens in the 1990's and are now beginning to be widely studied and applied by other researchers. The importance of the book derives from its clear and direct explanation of NSFD in the introductory chapter along with a broad discussion of the future directions needed to advance the topic.