However, few years ago i recall finding a file with some of the IMP questions and others of similar complexity. What was interesting was that there were some problems that I know I found very difficult then, but I looked at now and thought “what is the problem” they were just ‘obvious’. However, there were others that I know I was able to deal with then that I have no idea even how to start now.

This difference is partly about knowledge, practice, etc. but also about ways of thinking. When I was 18 I would get stuck into a problem for hours (or days) on end. Now partly through less time, partly through weaker concentration I rarely fight with a problem, but instead tend to ‘think problems away’, find a way of thinking about the problem so that it is no longer a problem anymore.

Remember me? I watched the program and was riveted by it - all the refs to Trinity, and mention of Rickard etc brought back memories of yourself and all the other Olympiad participants I knew in those days. I was most upset to hear that John Rickard died in 2002.

What did you think of the program? Do you think it was edited to make mathematicians seem too nerdy?

The program even got me downloading some IMO questions to see if I could attempt any of them. Well .. a few of the “Question 1″ entries were OK, but I gather they were the easiest ones ..

Iain Strachan