Math 96: Putnam Seminar

Fall 2024

Announcements:

• First day of class September 27th 2pm in AP&M B402A
  
• For Commencement of Academic Activity, please complete the quiz on Canvas by October 11th
• You can register for the Putnam Exam here
  

Homeworks:

• Homework 1 Due Friday October 4th in class
• Homework 2 Due Friday October 11th in class
• Homework 3 - Write up one problem solved in class on October 11th cleanly. Due in class Friday October 18th
• Homework 4 Due Friday October 25th in class
• Homework 5 - Write up one problem solved in class on October 25th cleanly. Due in class Friday November 1st
• Homework 6 Due Friday November 8th in class
• Homework 7 - Write up one problem solved in class on November 8th cleanly. Due in class Friday November 15th
• Homework 8 Due Friday November 22nd in class
  
  

Class Notes:

• Basic Problem Solving
• Number Theory Techniques
• Polynomials Techniques
• Calculus Techniques
• Combinatorics Techniques
  

Resources:

• Course Syllabus
• Introductory guide to proofs.
• Lecture podcast.
  
• 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.

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.