Ever since 1984, when I started my teaching career in mathematics at Austin Community College, Austin, Texas, I envisioned writing a collection of math problems meant to cover most of the undergraduate spectrum. Finally, this collection is available to those interested in sharpening their math skills for academic success or pure enjoyment. The 1,460 problems are presented in groups of four, numbered such that problems 1 and 2 cover developmental mathematics (the essential elementary and secondary school curriculum), while numbers 3 and 4 cover most of the college credit concepts from college algebra to calculus, as the table of contents shows. Each group of four is preceded by a meaningful quotation and ends with the answers to the last question in each of the four problems in the order 1, 2, 3, 4, like this: (4-26-20-15). In addition, this volume starts with my proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem and a few of the basic divisibility rules, important mathematical concepts that are usually presented to students without pertinent justification. In this respect I focused on divisibility by 3, 9, and 4 for which my proofs follow similar patterns. Consequently, I hope this book can help those dedicated to their improvement in the realm of undergraduate mathematics by practicing consistently, patiently, joyfully, and persistently. How to use this collection of math problems is left up to each individual's decision according to her/his readiness, pleasure, and need. Moreover, the 365 inspirational/motivational quotations included in here are meant to combine mathematical and philosophical thinking. This can definitely contribute to significant personal advancement on both fronts, as we all aspire to a better life.
Irie Glajar was born in Communist Romania in 1955, has graduated from the Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania with a Mas-ter's degree in Mathematics and Computer Science in 1979, and defected from the dictatorial regime in 1981. After several months in an Italian political refugee camp, he immigrated to the United States of America and since September 1982 has been teaching undergraduate mathematics at both high school and college levels in Austin, Texas. In 2010 Mr. Glajar earned an additional Master's degree in Mathematics Education from The University of North, Baia Mare, Romania. Over the years, he has participated and presented at many professional conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Romania, and published several educational articles both in the U.S. and Romania. After the 2007 publication of his first book "WE ARE ALL ONE, The End of All Worries: Scientific and Spiritual Testimonies to the Unity of All Things," the author published "TEACH FOR LIFE, Essays on Modern Education for Teachers, Students, and Parents." He continued with "ESCAPE TO FREEDOM, Chronicles of a Life on Two Continents, My Escape from Communist Romania, An Autobiography," followed by the publication of his "2015 INSPIRATIONAL MATHEMATICS CALENDAR AND DAY PLANNER" which is a collection of 1,460 undergraduate math problems from basic to complex, spread as four problems per day with their answers in the respective date. And, under the title "EDUCATION IN A CHANGING WORLD, Essays for a Better Life," Irie's 2016 book is a collection of 34 essays on teaching and learning. Besides treasuring his family life and his teaching career at Austin Community College, Austin, Texas, Irie Glajar finds much satisfaction in hobbies such as music, gardening, pets, and sports. Along with sciences and philosophy, he is also deeply interested in metaphysics, religion, spirituality, and international travel, which provide constant inspiration for his teaching of mathematics and his vision of modern education in general. Irie Glajar can be contacted via email at: ir_gl@yahoo.com.
