REGIONAL MATHS OLYMPIAD

RMO Syllabus
Syllabus for Mathematical Olympiads

Syllabus
The syllabus for Mathematical Olympiad (regional, national and international) is pre-degree
college mathematics. The areas covered are arithmetic of integers, geometry, quadratic equations
and expressions, trigonometry, co-ordinate geometry, systems of linear equations, permutations
and combinations, factorisation of polynomials, inequalities, elementary combinatorics,
probability theory and number theory, finite series and complex numbers and elementary graph
theory. The syllabus does not include Calculus and Statistics. The major areas from which
problems are given are number theory, geometry, algebra and combinatorics. The syllabus is in a
sense spread over Class IX to Class XII levels, but the problems under each topic are of
exceptionally high level in difficulty and sophistication. The difficulty level increases from
RMO to INMO to IMO.

There is no prescribed syllabus for mathematical olympiads. Broadly speaking, students

appearing at RMO must be well versed with all the mathematics taught upto Class X level. The
major areas from which problems are chosen are Number Theory, Geometry, Algebra and
Combinatorics. This includes Arithmetic of Integers, Geometry, Quadratic equations and
expressions, Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry, Systems of linear equations, Permutations and
Combinations, Factorization of polynomials, Inequalities, Elementary Combinatorics,
Probability Theory and Number Theory, Finite series and Complex numbers, and Elementary
Graph Theory. The syllabus does not include Calculus and Statistics.
The problems under each topic are of exceptionally high level in difficulty and sophistication.
The difficulty level increases from RMO to INMO to IMO. The book ''An Excursion In
Mathematics'' gives a fairly good idea of the background needed to solve these problems. The
students should also try the old exams of RMO and INMO. All the problems can be solved
without using Calculus or calculators. However these problems are not routine text book
problems. They are considerably harder, calling for ingenuity on the part of the solver.
Therefore, it is highly advisable that a student solves as many new problems as possible with no
or with minimum help. Indeed, if you are unable to solve at least one problem from each old
RMO exam without help, RMO is not for you.

RMO Books reference :

The following book treats the topics which are covered in the olympiads and also is a rich
source of problems; (highly recommended)

V. Krishnamurthy, C. R. Pranesachar, K. N. Ranganathan and B. J. Venkatachala,

Challenge and Thrill of Pre-College Mathematics, New Age International Publishers.

C. R. Pranesachar, S. A. Shirali, B. J. Venkatachala, and C. S. Yogananda, Mathematical

Challenges from the Olympiads, Prism Books Pvt. Ltd. (Contains problems and
solutions of International Mathematical Olympiad from 1986-1994).

C. R. Pranesachar, B. J. Venkatachala, and C. S. Yogananda, Problem Primer for the

Olympiad, Prism Books Pvt. Ltd., #1865, 32nd. Cross, BSK II Stage, Bangalore 560
070. or 49, Sardar Sankar Road, Kolkata 700029. Phone: 24633890/24633944.

M. R. Modak, S. A. Katre, V. V. Acharya, An Excursion in

Mathematics, Bhaskaracharya Pratisthan, 56/14 Erandavane, Damle Path, Pune 411
004.

The books listed below form the recommended reading for the various math competitions. Some
are elementary, and some are not so elementary. As far as possible there are indicators to the
type of the book but, of course, these can only be indicators....

GEOMETRY
1. Durrel M. A., Modern Geometry, Macmillan & Co., London.
2. H. S. M. Coxeter and S. L. Greitzer, Geometry Revisited, Mathematical
Association of America.
3. S. L. Loney, Plane Trigonometry, Macmillan & Co., London.

NUMBER THEORY
1. I. Niven & H. S. Zuckerman, An Introduction to the Theory of Numbers, Wiley
Eastern Ltd. New Delhi.
2. David Burton, Elementary Number Theory, Universal Book Stall, New Delhi.
3. G. H. Hardy & Wright, An introduction to the theory of numbers, Oxford

University Publishers.

PROBLEM BOOKS
o I M O Problem Collections
1. S. L. Greitzer, International Mathematical Olympiad 1959-1977, MAA.
2. M. S. Klamkin, International Mathematical Olympiad 1978-1985, MAA.
o General
1. M. S. Klamkin, USA Mathematical Olympiads 1972-1985, MAA.
2. D. O. Shklyarshky, N. N. Chensov and I. M. Yaglom, Selected problems
and Theorems in Elementary Mathematics.
3. W. Sierpenski, 250 Problems in Elementary Number Theory, American
Elsevier.
4. I. R. Sharygin, Problems in Plane Geometry, MIR Publishers.

JOURNALS
1. Samasya, journal devoted to problem solving, published by Leelavati Trust,
Bangalore.
2. Bona Mathematica, published by Bhaskaracharya Prathistana, Pune.

General Reading
o Arthur Engel, Problem-Solving Strategies, Springer.
o S. A. Shirali, A Primer On Number Sequences, University Press.
o S. A. Shirali, First Steps In Number Theory--- A Primer On Divisibility,
University Press.
o B. J. Venkatachala, Functional Equations---A Problem Solving Approach, Prism
Books Pvt. Ltd., #1865, 32nd. Cross, BSK II
Stage, Bangalore 560 070. or 49, Sardar Sankar Road, Kolkata 700029. Phone:
24633890/24633944.

o S. Barnard & J.M. Child, Higher Algebra, Macmillan & Co., London, 1939;
reprinted Surjeet Publishers, Delhi, 1990
o W. S Burnside & A.W. Panton, The Theory of Equations, Vol. 1 (13th Edition), S.
Chand & Co., New Delhi, 1990
o D. M. Burton, Elementary Number Theory, Second Edition, Universal Book
Stall, New Delhi, 1991
o RA. Brualdi, Introductory Combinatorics, Elsevier, North-Holland, New York,
1977
o H.S.M. Coxeter & S.L. Greitzer, Geometry Revisited, New Mathematical Library
19, The Mathematical Association of America, New York, 1967
o C.V. Durell, Modern Geometry, Macmillan & Co., London, 1961
o D. Fomin, S. Genkin & 1. Itenberg, Mathematical Circles, First Reprinted
Edition, University Press, New Delhi, 2000
o H.S. Hall & S.R Knight, Higher Algebra, Macmillan & Co., London; Metric
Edition, New Delhi, 1983
o R Honsberger, Mathematical Gems, Part I (1973), Part II (1976), Part III (1985),
The Mathematical Association of America, New York
o N.D. Kazarinoff, Geometric Inequalities, New Mathematical Library 4, Random
House and The L.W. Singer Co., New York, 1961
o P.P. Korovkin, Inequalities, Little Mathematics Library, MIR Publishers,
Moscow, 1975
o I. Niven, H.S. Zuckerman & H.L. Montgomery, An Introduction to the Theory of
Numbers, Fifth Edition, Wiley Eastern, New Delhi, 2000
o A.W. Tucker, Applied Combinatorics, Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New
York, 1984
o G.N. Yakovlev, High School Mathematics, Part II, MIR Publishers, Moscow,
1984

LIST OF BOOKS FOR MATH. OLYMPIADS:

Short list:
1. Problem primer for olympiads: C.R. Pranesachar, B J Venkatachala and C S
Yogananda (Prism Books Pvt Ltd, Jayangar, Bangalore)
2. Challenge and thrill of pre-college mathematics: V. Krishnamurthy, C R
Pranseachar, K N Ranganathan and B. J. Venkatachala (New age international
publishers, New Delhi)
3. An Excursion in Mathematics, Ed. M R Modak, S A Katre and V V Acharya
(Bhaskaracharya Pratishthana, Pune)
4. Functional Equations, B J Venkatachala (Prism Books Pvt Ltd, Jayanagar,
Bangalore)
5. Mathematical Circles: Russian Experience (University Press, Hyderabad).
Long list:
1. Klamkin, M.S. U.S.A. Maths Olympiad, 1972 - 1986
2. Yaglom, I.M. The USSR Olympiad Problem Book (Dover)
3. Sierpenski. W 250 Problems in Elementary Number Theory (Elsevier)
4. Niven & Zukerman An Introduction to the theory of Numbers (Wiley)
5. Coxeter, H.S.M. Geometry Revisited (MAA)
6. Larson, L.C. Problem Solving through Problems (Springer)
7. Bottema. O. Geometric Inequalities (MAA)
8. V. Krishnamoorthy etal. Challenges and thrill of Precollege Mathematics (New Age Publ.)
9. Pranesachar C.R. Mathematical challenges from Olympiads. (Interline Publ)
10. Lozansky E., Rousseau, C Winning Solutions (Springer)
11. M.K. Singal, A.R. Singal Olympiad Mathematics (Pitambar Publ.)
12. S.A. Katre An excursion in Mathematics

13. V. Seshan Mastering Olympiad Mathematics (Frank Brothers)

14. Engel A. Problem Solving Strategies (Springer)
15. Shirali S. A First steps in Number Theory (Universities Press)
16. Shirali S.A. Adventures in Problem Solving ,, ,,
17. Steven G. Krantz Techniques of Problem Solving ,, ,,
18. Titu Andreescu & Mathematical Olympiad Challenges Razvan Gelca; (Universities Press)
19. Burton Elementary Number Theory (UBS)
20. Venkatachala B. J. Functional Equations. A problem solving approach
21. Durrell C. V. Geometry
22. Bonnie Averback and Problem solving through recreational Mathematics Oria Chein (Dover)
23. Alfred Posamentiar Challenging Problems in Geometry (Dover) and Charles T. Salkind
24. Beiler A.H. Recreations in the theory of numbers (Dover)
25. A Gardiner The Mathematical Olympiad Hand book OUP (2000)
26. T. Andreesan Mathematical Olympiad Challenges R. Gelca Birkhauser (2000)
27. S. Muralidharan Gems from the Mathematics Teacher, AMTI (1997) G.R. Vijayakumar
28. V.K. Krishnan (Ed.) Non-routine problems in Mathematics, AMTI (2000)
29. R. Roy Choudhary 501 Difficult problems in Mathematics, BM Pub (2000)
30. T. Andreescu Mathematical Olympiad Treasures, Birkhauser (2004)
31. Bernard and Child Higher Algebra (Mc Millan)
32. Stein haus One Hundred Problems in Elementary Mathematics (Dover)
33. Eves H. College Geometry (Narosa) (1995)
34. Williams K.S.; Hardy, K The red book of mathematical problems (Dover)

35. I. Reiman International Mathematics Olympiad Vol. I-III (Anthem Press)