The focus of this course is the Russian tradition of problem-solving (versus algorithms). We’ll use problems from Sergey Dorichenko’s book A Moscow Math Circle and puzzles from Kordemsky’s classic (edited by Martin Gardner) “The Moscow Puzzles.”

The goals of the course (and books) are (1) to interest students in mathematics, (2) to show that
mathematics is beautiful, (3) to teach them to reason, (4) to distinguish a solution from a nonsolution,
and (5) to show students that they are able problem solvers.

Last year, we worked collaboratively through Dorichenko’s first five problem sets; this year we’ll pick up with the sixth set in the late fall course. In the winter course, we’ll continue where the fall course left off. Each course is stand-alone with no overlap in material. The material is not cumulative so everyone is welcome to any of the courses.

Tuition: $100
Lovett Library, 6945 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19119