How to Solve It

G. Polya (1887–1985) was one of the most influential mathematicians of the twentieth century. His basic research contributions span complex analysis, mathematical physics, probability theory, geometry, and combinatorics. He was a teacher par excellence who maintained a strong interest in pedagogical matters throughout his long career. Even after his retirement from Stanford University in 1953, he continued to lead an active mathematical life. He taught his final course, on combinatorics, at the age of ninety. John H. Conway (1937–2020) was professor emeritus of mathematics at Princeton University. He was awarded the London Mathematical Society's Polya Prize in 1987. He was interested in many branches of mathematics and invented a successor to Polya's notation for crystallographic groups.

“Every mathematics student should experience and live this book.”—Mathematics Magazine

“[How to Solve It] shows anew how keen its author is on questions of method and the formulation of methodological principles. Exposition and illustrative material are of a disarmingly elementary character, but very carefully thought out and selected.”—Herman Weyl, Mathematical Review

“Any young person seeking a career in the sciences would do well to ponder this important contribution to the teacher’s art.”—A. C. Schaeffer, American Journal of Psychology

“I recommend it highly to any person who is seriously interested in finding out methods of solving problems, and who does not object to being entertained while he does it.”—Scientific Monthly

“Every prospective teacher should read [How to Solve It]. In particular, graduate students will find it invaluable. The traditional mathematics professor who reads a paper before one of the Mathematical Societies might also learn something from the book: ‘He writes a, he says b, he means c; but it should be d.’”—E. T. Bell, Mathematical Monthly

“In an age that all solutions should be provided with the least possible effort, this book brings a very important message: mathematics and problem solving in general needs a lot of practice and experience obtained by challenging creative thinking, and certainly not by copying predefined recipes provided by others. Let’s hope this classic will remain a source of inspiration for several generations to come.”—A. Bultheel, European Mathematical Society