The Colorado Mathematical Olympiad was established on April 18, 1983, by Alexander Soifer, who authored most of its problem sets for over three decades. This competition, now renamed the Soifer Mathematical Olympiad, serves as the cornerstone of his efforts to cultivate mathematical aptitude within the University of Colorado Colorado Springs community and beyond.
Academic Trajectory and Appointments
Born in Moscow in 1948, Alexander Soifer pursued his early education at the Moscow Pedagogical State University before completing his doctorate in 1973. In 1979, he accepted a faculty position at the University of Colorado. His research interests have integrated mathematics with broader cultural studies, leading him to teach coursework concerning European cinema and art history. He expanded his academic reach through visiting fellowships at Princeton University, where he served sessions from 2002 to 2004 and again from 2006 to 2007.
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Soifer has produced a substantial body of academic literature, comprising 13 books and more than 400 articles. His monograph output includes multiple editions of works such as Mathematics as Problem Solving, How Does One Cut a Triangle?, and Geometric Etudes in Combinatorial Mathematics. His 2009 text, The Mathematical Coloring Book, was significantly expanded in a 2024 edition. Additionally, he explored the history of mathematics through his biography of Van der Waerden, titled The Scholar and the State, which saw publication in 2015 and an expanded English edition in 2017.
Editorial Oversight and Leadership
In 1991, Soifer launched the quarterly journal Geombinatorics to address developments in combinatorial, discrete, and convex geometry. The publication remains active, indexed in databases including Zentralblatt MATH and MathSciNet. His standing in the international mathematics community was recognized with the Paul Erdős Award at the University of Cambridge in 2006. He further contributed to the field by serving as the President of the World Federation of National Mathematics Competitions between 2012 and 2018. Holding an Erdős number of 1, he continues to act as the publisher and editor for his journal.
Fast facts
- Born: 1948, Moscow, Russia
- Citizenship: United States, Soviet Union
- Education: Moscow Pedagogical State University
- Erdős Number: 1
- Academic Base: University of Colorado
- Primary Field: Combinatorial and Discrete Geometry
- Key Leadership: President of WFNMC, 2012–2018
- Notable Recognition: Paul Erdős Award, 2006
Questions readers ask
What is the focus of the journal Geombinatorics?
It publishes research on problems in convex, discrete, and combinatorial geometry.
Why was the Colorado Mathematical Olympiad renamed?
In May 2018, the competition was renamed the Soifer Mathematical Olympiad to acknowledge Soifer's 35 years of leadership.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Colorado
