Recommendations for a Problem Solving Book

[courtrigrad]

Anyone have any recommendations for a problem solving book (i.e. simple algebra word problems all the way up to Putnam)?

Thanks

 

[mathwonk]

how to solve problems? (polya, how to solve it.) or a book of solved problems?

 

[courtrigrad]

yeah, like how to solve problems. Thanks for your opinions/feedback.

 

[leon1127]

Look up Titu Andreescu, he is my professor and the coach of US Maths team I believe.

 

[Dragonfall]

I read 'How to Solve It'; it's a wonderful book, but you won't appreciate it unless you already know it, and hence have no need of it. The best way to learn to solve problems is by solving them, I think.

 

[courtrigrad]

already know it? you mean the topics?

 

[mattmns]

How to Solve It poses a bunch of ideas about how to go about solving problems. However, if you are a math major, you probably know most of the ideas covered, but still the book is a good read.

 

[Sisyphus]

Check out www.artofproblemsolving.com

They have a pretty wide variety of books, mostly centred around problem solving. Although the books are more or less geared towards high school students, I'm pretty sure they have some for undergraduates (ie a putnam book, etc)