Donald J. Newman
A. Problem Seminar
wos
Springer-Verlag wo)
New York Heidelberg Berlin if /Donald J. Newman
cpartnient of Mathematics
iy
Philadelphia, PA 19122
USA
Futitor
Paul K. Halmos
Deparunent of Meiheraaties
Jndiana University
Bloomington, IN 47408
USA.
AMIS Cha caveation (Hct): WAar
Hibuary of Contes Cataloging iv Publication Data
Newnan, Donald J, 1930.
A problem seminar
(Problein books in mathewaties)
1. Mathemuaties — Problems, exercises, ete, 2. Problem
solving. 1. Lite
QAI3N43 1982 S1U,70—83-16729
#7 1982 by Springer-Verlag New York ne.
All Fights seserved. No pat of this book may be wanstated or reproduced in
any form without written poemission trom Springer-Vetlig, 175 Filth Avenue,
New York, New York 10010, US.A.
Typeset by Science Typopraphers, Ine, Medford, NY.
Prinved and bound by KX. Donnelley & Sons Company, Harrisburg, VA.
Printed in the United States of Ametica.
987654321
ISBN 0.387 9076:
ISBN 3-540-90765.
Verlag New York Hcidelbere Berlin
Finger-Verkig Berlin Heidelberg New YorkThere was once a bumper sticker that read, “Remember the goad old
days whea air was clean and sex was dirty?” Indeed, some of us are
old enough to remember not only shose good old days, but even the
days when Math was fun(!), not the ponderous THEOREM, PROG’,
THEOREM, PROO! but the whimsical, “I’ve got a good prob-
lem.”
Why did the mood change? What misguided educational philoso- .
phy transformed graduate mathematics from a passionate activity to
a form of passive scholarship?
In less sentimental term. why have the graduate schools deopped
the Probiem Seminar? We therefore offer “A Problem Seminar” to
those students who haven't enjoyed the fun and games of problem
solving.