How do IMO Problems Compare with Research Problems?

W. Timothy Gowers ()
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W. Timothy Gowers: University of Cambridge, Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics

A chapter in An Invitation to Mathematics, 2011, pp 55-69 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Although IMO contestants and research mathematicians are both attempting to solve difficult mathematical problems, there are important differences between their two activities. This is partly because most research problems involve university-level mathematical concepts that are excluded from IMO problems. However, there are more fundamental differences that are not to do with subject matter. To demonstrate this, we look at some results and questions in Ramsey theory, an area that has been a source both of IMO problems and of research problems.

Keywords: Banach Space; Complete Graph; Research Problem; Winning Strategy; Blue Triangle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-642-19533-4_5

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-19533-4_5

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