<p>My D would like to take a Number Theory course and we are looking at a Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes. One of the requirements is the submission of a completed (or partially completed) Mathematics Challenge Problems packet. She is quite strong in mathematics, but more significantly loves math and cryptology however she charts her own path and divides the world into fun math (Michigan Math Prize Competition-creative) and boring math (AMC-repetitive w/out twists). Can anyone with personal experience of the Mathematics Challenge Problems packet share their knowledge of the packet's relative pleasure giving capability?</p>
As getting in to the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is challenging and the price is astronomical, in follow-up, I can share that D did find the Mathematics Challenge Problems fun, was accepted (into Adv Number Theory) and has almost completed the 4 week program. She reports that it has been challenging, but fun. Number Theory & Adv Number Theory are taught by the same instructor, at the same time; however, there are additional problems for those interested in a more advanced course.
As an intern at Stanford this summer, I saw precollegiate students around all the time; they seemed to be having lots of fun!