A look at solving problems in three areas of classical elementary mathematics: equations and systems of equations of various kinds, algebraic inequalities, and elementary number theory, in particular divisibility and diophantine equations. In each topic, brief theoretical discussions are followed by carefully worked out examples of increasing difficulty, and by exercises which range from routine to rather more challenging problems. While it emphasizes some methods that are not usually covered in beginning university courses, the book nevertheless teaches techniques and skills which are useful beyond the specific topics covered here. With approximately 330 examples and 760 exercises.

This is a translation of a successfeul Czech book with more than 1000 problems. The problems can be used to prepare for the International Mathematical Olympiads or the Putnam exam (a prestigious math competition). Each topic contains brief theoretical discussions that are immediately followed by carefully worked out examples of increasing degrees of difficulty, and by exercises which range from routine to rather challenging problems.

Inhalt
1 Algebraic Identities and Equations.- 1 Formulas for Powers.- 2 Finite Sums.- 3 Polynomials.- 4 Symmetric Polynomials.- 5 Systems of Equations.- 6 Irrational Equations.- 7 Some Applications of Complex Numbers.- 2 Algebraic Inequalities.- 1 Definitions and Properties.- 2 Basic Methods.- 3 The Use of Algebraic Formulas.- 4 The Method of Squares.- 5 The Discriminant and Cauchy's Inequality.- 6 The Induction Principle.- 7 Chebyshev's Inequality.- 8 Inequalities Between Means.- 9 Appendix on Irrational Numbers.- 3 Number Theory.- 1 Basic Concepts.- 2 Prime Numbers.- 3 Congruences.- 4 Congruences in One Variable.- 5 Diophantine Equations.- 6 Solvability of Diopha,ntine Equations.- 7 Integer Part and Fractional Part.- 8 Base Representations.- 9 Dirichlet's Principle.- 10 Polynomials.- 4 Hints and Answers.- 1 Hints and Answers to Chapter 1.- 2 Hints and Answers to Chapter 2.- 3 Hints and Answers to Chapter 3.