This book joins several other books available for the preparation of young scholars for a
future that involves solving mathematical pr- lems. This training not only increases their
?tness in competitions but may also help them in other endeavors they may engage in the
future. The book is a diversi?ed collection of problems from all areas of high school
mathematics and is written in a lively and engaging way. The introductory explanations and
worked problems help guide the reader without turning the additional problems into rote repe-
tions of the solved ones. The book should become an essential tool in the armamentarium of
faculty involved with training future competitors. Branko Grunbaum ¨ Professor of Mathematics
University of Washington June 2008 Seattle Washington Foreword This was the ?rst of Alexander
Soifer's books I think preceding How Does One Cut a Triangle? by a few years. It is short on
anecdote and reminiscence but there is charm in its youthful brusqueness and let-
get-right-to-business muscularity. And mainly there is a huge lode of problems very good
ones worked out and very good ones left to the reader to work out.
