About two years ago, we developed a series of lectures on mathematics for high school students, which were held every other week at Kyoto
University. Kenji Ueno, who is one of the authors of this book, began this program and was primarily responsible for initiating these lectures. This unique lecture format took root and grew due to Ueno's keen understanding of- the education and learning process and the support and enthusiasm of approximately fifty high school and junior high students. Today you can find this mathematical lecture format not only at Kyoto University, but at
many other universities in Japan.