Math 96: Putnam Seminar

Fall 2023

Announcements:

• First day of class September 29th 4pm in HSS 4025
• For Commencement of Academic Activity, please complete the quiz on Canvas by October 13th
• Please make sure to register for the Putnam
  

Homeworks:

• Homework 1 - Due in class Friday, October 6.
• Homework 2 - Write up a solution gone over in class. Due in class on Friday, October 13.
• Homework 3 - Due in class Friday, October 20.
• Homework 4 - Write up a solution gone over in class. Due in class on Friday, October 27.
• Homework 5 - Due in class Friday, November 3.
• Homework 6 - Write up a solution gone over in class. Due in class on Friday, November 17.
• Homework 7 - Due in class Friday, December 1.
  
  

Class Notes:

• Basic Problem Solving Techniques
• Number Theory Techniques
• Polynomials Techniques
• Combinatorics Techniques
• Testing Strategies
  

Resources:

• Course Syllabus
• Introductory guide to proofs.
• UCSD Putnam discord server
  
• Kiran’s Putnam archive.
• Previous years' handouts.
• If you want something slightly easier to practice on, check out the Van Vleck Talent Search Problems and Solutions.
• Register for the Putnam here: https://putnam.edvistas.com/datamate/testRegister.aspx?id=d28cfe33-a814-43e5-ac6a-e96d90c2c769
• If you are not in Math 96 and register please also either join the discord server (above) or fill out the google form here so that you can receive announcements about the exam.
  

Course Description: Students will develop skills in analytical thinking as they solve and present solutions to challenging mathematical problems in preparation for the William Lowell Putnam Mathematics Competition, a national undergraduate mathematics examination held each year. Students must sit for at least one half of the Putnam exam (given the first Saturday in December) to receive a passing grade. P/NP grades only. May be taken for credit up to four times.