Bin Xiong - Mathematical Olympiad in China (2009-2010)

Preface

The first time China participate in IMO was in 1985, two students were sent to the 26th IMO. Since 1986, China has a team of 6 students at every IMO except in 1998 when it was held in Taiwan. So far, up to 2011, China has achieved the number one ranking in team effort 17 times. A great majority of students received gold medals. The fact that China obtained such encouraging result is due to, on one hand, Chinese students hard working and perseverance, and on the other hand, the effort of teachers in schools and the training offered by national coaches. As we believe, it is also a result of the education system in China, in particular, the emphasis on training of basic skills in science education.

The materials of this book come from a series of two books (in Chinese) on Forward to IMO: a collection of mathematical Olympiad problems (2009 2010). It is a collection of problems and solutions of the major mathematical competitions in China. It provides a glimpse of how the China national team is selected and formed. First, there is the China Mathematical Competition, a national event. It is held on the second Sunday of October every year. Through the competition, about 200 students are selected to join the China Mathematical Olympiad (commonly known as the winter camp), or in short CMO, in the next January. CMO lasts for five days. Both the type and the difficulty of the problems match those of IMO. Similarly, students are given three problems to solve in 4. 5 hours each day. From CMO, about 50 to 60 students are selected to form a national training team. The training takes place for two weeks in the month of March. After four to six tests, plus two qualifying examinations, six students are finally selected to form the national team, taking part in IMO in July of that year.

In view of the differences in education, culture and economy of western part of China in comparison with the coast part in east China, mathematical competitions in West China did not develop as fast as in the rest of the country. In order to promote the activity of mathematical competition, and to enhence the level of mathematical competition, starting from 2001, China Mathematical Olympiad Committee organizes the China Western Mathematical Olympiad. The top two winners will be admitted to the national training team. Through the CWMO, there have been two students entering the national team and receiving gold medals for their performance at IMO.