105 Algebra Problems from the AwesomeMath Summer Program

Book excerpt: The main purpose of this book is to provide an introduction to central topics in elementary algebra from a problem-solving point of view. While working with students who were preparing for various mathematics competitions or exams, the author observed that fundamental algebraic techniques were not part of their mathematical repertoire. Since algebraic skills are not only critical to algebra itself but also to numerous other mathematical fields, a lack of such knowledge can drastically hinder a student's performance. Taking the above observations into account, the author has put together this introductory book using both simple and challenging examples which shed light upon essential algebraic strategies and techniques, as well as their application in diverse meaningful problems. This work is the first volume in a series of such books. The featured topics from elementary and classical algebra include factorizations, algebraic identities, inequalities, algebraic equations and systems of equations. More advanced concepts such as complex numbers, exponents and logarithms, as well as other topics, are generally avoided.Nevertheless, some problems are constructed using properties of complex numbers which challenge and expose the reader to a broader spectrum of mathematics. Each chapter focuses on specific methods or strategies and provides an ample collection of accompanying problems that graduate in difficulty and complexity. In order to assist the reader with verifying mastery of the theoretical component, 105 problems are included in the last sections of the book, of which 52 are introductory and 53 are advanced. All problems come together with solutions, many employing several approaches and providing the motivation behind the solutions offered.