Where Can I Find Challenging Math Puzzles for Calculus 2 and Beyond?

  • Other
  • Thread starter FriedFish
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Source Work
In summary, the OP is looking for creative math puzzles that they can do at their own level. They have been unsuccessful finding any that fit this criteria online. They suggest looking through Google search results for "math Olympiad problems" or "Putnam competitions." They also mention the MHB Math POTW forums and suggest looking at different difficulty levels. Finally, they suggest downloading a solution manual for some of the problems.
  • #1
FriedFish
3
1
I've been getting bored of the problems I'm being assigned in math and I've been reading that Richard Feynman worked on a lot of creative math puzzles when he was in high school. I can't find a good repository of any math puzzles that require more imagination or thought than just solving equations tediously, so if anyone could help me find some that would be great. Preferably from a source that is free, but I'd be willing to pay a small amount of money for a book or service or something. My current math level is Calculus 2, but I'm happy with all puzzles.
 
  • Like
Likes WWGD
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #4
These problems are interesting. My favorite kinds are the ones that seem really complex but with a subtle shift in perspective are simple, like the ones 3Blue1Brown talks about on his youtube channel.
 
  • #5
  • #6
Im kind of confused. The OP joined today and was canceled today too? Don't mean to dig into anyone's private business; just wondered if there's a mistake somewhere?
 
  • #7
WWGD said:
Im kind of confused. The OP joined today and was canceled today too? Don't mean to dig into anyone's private business; just wondered if there's a mistake somewhere?
This OP apparently had "forgotten" that they already had an account here at PF. The duplicate account is gone now, so they will keep posting under their already-existing account. @Interdimensional
 
  • Like
Likes Interdimensional, FactChecker and WWGD
  • #8
berkeman said:
This OP apparently had "forgotten" that they already had an account here at PF. The duplicate account is gone now, so they will keep posting under their already-existing account. @Interdimensional
Will they post in this, our, dimension? ;).
 
  • Like
Likes Interdimensional and berkeman
  • #9
Wherever you go, there you are.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Likes PhDeezNutz, hutchphd and berkeman
  • #11
Didn't Feynman compete in New York City Math competitions? I wonder if I can find some of those types of problems.
 
  • #15
Interdimensional said:
Wow I never even saw this. This is great. I think they're a bit too advanced for me though at the moment.
... and the problems + solution manual pdf for download has 533 problems. I am absolutely certain that there are many that fit the requirements. I have chosen primarily problems that teach something, e.g. theorems, inequalities, and applications. You can download them and have a look (2.4Mb).

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/solution-manuals-for-the-math-challenges.977057/
 
  • Like
Likes PeroK and berkeman
  • #16
berkeman said:
Have you looked at the MHB Math POTW forums? There are different difficulty levels...

https://www.physicsforums.com/forums/mhb-math-problem-of-the-week.361/
I've been looking at the Secondary School and Highschool problems and I still have no idea how to do most of them. Is there something wrong with me? I've always been decently advanced in math, but recently I've felt a sort of brain fog.
 
  • #17
Interdimensional said:
I've been looking at the Secondary School and Highschool problems and I still have no idea how to do most of them. Is there something wrong with me? I've always been decently advanced in math, but recently I've felt a sort of brain fog.

I honestly think those are harder than the university level problems.
 
  • #18
Checkout mathispower4u.com there are videos covering a range of standard math from middle school to first year college calculus 1,2,3 linear algebra, differential equations and statistics.

There are 5000 video solutions for many problems. You can work through each problem as described in a video, and then watch the solution provided to see if you got it right.
 
  • #19
FriedFish said:
I've been getting bored of the problems I'm being assigned in math and I've been reading that Richard Feynman worked on a lot of creative math puzzles when he was in high school. I can't find a good repository of any math puzzles that require more imagination or thought than just solving equations tediously, so if anyone could help me find some that would be great. Preferably from a source that is free, but I'd be willing to pay a small amount of money for a book or service or something. My current math level is Calculus 2, but I'm happy with all puzzles.
Maybe starting off with something like the Art of Problem Solving books, and working up? I was personally never interested in mathematical contest problems, but I have seen students use these for preparation, and using previous exams. There is also the yearly contest for community college math students, which I forgot the name of.

Now, math level does not equate to math ability/understanding. One can reach calculus, and a bit above with sole memorizing, if the classes are taught in the plug and chug manner (many are). Maybe you are lacking in fundamentals, Ie., geometry/trig/algebra. So that can be a good place to review.
 
  • #20
MidgetDwarf said:
Maybe starting off with something like the Art of Problem Solving books, and working up? I was personally never interested in mathematical contest problems, but I have seen students use these for preparation, and using previous exams. There is also the yearly contest for community college math students, which I forgot the name of.

Now, math level does not equate to math ability/understanding. One can reach calculus, and a bit above with sole memorizing, if the classes are taught in the plug and chug manner (many are). Maybe you are lacking in fundamentals, Ie., geometry/trig/algebra. So that can be a good place to review.
I have heard about the Art of Problem Solving books. I'll try to get one of them. Most of the math classes I've had aren't focused on memorization but understanding of the material.
 
  • Like
Likes berkeman
  • #21
Prime numbers have plenty of simple-looking problems that are rather beautiful (but often very hard) to solve... For example, let ##\pi (n) ## be the prime counting function up to any integer n, ie.

$$ \pi(2) = 1$$
$$ \pi(3) = 2$$
$$ \pi(4) = 2$$
$$\pi(5) = 3$$
$$\pi(6) = 3$$
$$\pi(7) = 4$$
$$\pi(8) = 4$$
$$\pi(9) = 4$$
$$\pi(10) = 4$$
$$\pi(11) = 5$$
$$...$$

1. Show that ##\pi (n)## is unbounded, ie. there are infinitely many primes.

2. Show that ##\pi (n) \approx \frac{n}{\log n}##, ie. the prime number theorem.

3. Show that there are infinitely many consecutive "twin" prime numbers, ie. Hardy-Littlewood conjecture (unsolved).

4. Show that the function

$$ \zeta (s) = \frac{1}{1^s} + \frac{1}{2^s} + \frac{1}{3^s} + \frac{1}{4^s} + ... $$

equals zero only on a certain line in the complex numbers plane ##s##, ie. Riemann hypothesis (unsolved).
 
Last edited:
  • #22
James1238765 said:
Prime numbers have plenty of simple-looking problems that are rather beautiful (but often very hard) to solve... For example, let ##\pi (n) ## be the prime counting function up to any integer n, ie.

$$ \pi(2) = 1$$
$$ \pi(3) = 2$$
$$ \pi(4) = 2$$
$$\pi(5) = 3$$
$$\pi(6) = 3$$
$$\pi(7) = 4$$
$$\pi(8) = 4$$
$$\pi(9) = 4$$
$$\pi(10) = 4$$
$$\pi(11) = 5$$
$$...$$

1. Show that ##\pi (n)## is unbounded, ie. there are infinitely many primes.

2. Show that ##\pi (n) \approx \frac{n}{\log n}##, ie. the prime number theorem.

3. Show that there are infinitely many consecutive "twin" prime numbers, ie. Goldbach conjecture (unsolved).

4. Show that the function

$$ \zeta (s) = \frac{1}{1^s} + \frac{1}{2^s} + \frac{1}{3^s} + \frac{1}{4^s} + ... $$

equals zero only on a certain line in the complex numbers plane ##s##, ie. Riemann hypothesis (unsolved).
Hardy-Littlewood, not Goldbach.
 
  • Like
Likes berkeman and James1238765
  • #23
What would you say is the best way to develop visualization and imagination techniques for math? I'd say I already have a pretty strong imagination but I find it can sometimes be difficult to translate it to math. It works better with physics.
 
  • #24
Interdimensional said:
What would you say is the best way to develop visualization and imagination techniques for math? I'd say I already have a pretty strong imagination but I find it can sometimes be difficult to translate it to math. It works better with physics.
I don't think there is such a thing (for ordinary people). Different subjects require very different imaginations! Someone with good skills in the algorithmic world of numerical analysis can be totally lost in knot theory.
 
  • #25
How about considering one of the ( Subject) GRE prep books? If that's easy, you can consider more advanced work. Or look up qualifying exams?
 
  • #26
WWGD said:
How about considering one of the ( Subject) GRE prep books? If that's easy, you can consider more advanced work. Or look up qualifying exams?
Interesting. I'll look at some.
 
  • #27
fresh_42 said:
I don't think there is such a thing (for ordinary people). Different subjects require very different imaginations! Someone with good skills in the algorithmic world of numerical analysis can be totally lost in knot theory.
It's Knot Theory, it's practice.
 
  • Haha
  • Wow
  • Like
Likes jedishrfu, Interdimensional and berkeman
  • #28
WWGD said:
It's Knot Theory, it's practice.
I thought it was Indiana Jones and the polynomial of doom.
 
  • Haha
Likes jedishrfu
  • #29
fresh_42 said:
I thought it was Indiana Jones and the polynomial of doom.
Sorry, missed the whole series, don't catch your ref. Is that pre-reducibility days? If the polynomial doesn't split, you must acquit.
 
  • #32
Any other problem sources? I like to have as many wells of problems as possible.
 
  • #33
How many problems have you worked on so far? It seems pointless to keep searching if you aren't actively working on them.
 
  • #34
jedishrfu said:
How many problems have you worked on so far? It seems pointless to keep searching if you aren't actively working on them.
I've solved two Putnam problems, but I'd like to find problems that are ponderable and help foster original thinking. More puzzle focused problems.
 
Last edited:
  • #35

Similar threads

Studying Ready to start Calculus (I think), but unsure where to start
Replies
29
Views
2K
Should I double up on math courses next school year?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Studying I have some epic math goals and creating a study plan
Replies
11
Views
2K
Programs Don't like my calculus class, but want to be a math major....
Replies
22
Views
2K
Other First post since 2009. I've learned a lot. Where to go from here?
Replies
1
Views
925
How should I select a Calculus class?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Other I messed up and I’d like to return to school at 30
Replies
20
Views
2K
Where Can I Find Calculus Problems with Explained Solutions?
Replies
2
Views
1K
Studying Recommendation to my study program for Physics/Math
Replies
1
Views
1K
Programs Concerns about math in engineering
Replies
10
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top