MC60: Problem solving (Fall 1998)

MCS200 - Problem solving
Fall 1999

The value of a problem is not so much coming up with the answer as in the ideas and attempted ideas it forces on the would be solver.

I. N. Herstein, quoted in Out of the Mouths of Mathematicians, by R. Schmalz.

Course Description:

Each week, Monday afternoon from 3:30-5:30pm in Olin Hall, we will go over old contest problems. About an hour and a half will be spent trying to solve some problems, and the last half-hour will be spent discussing them. The goals of the course are to (a) have fun, (b) learn how to approach problems when you don't know which mathematical tools are needed, and (c) to prepare for college mathematics contests.

You are welcome to come any week whether or not you are signed up.

Grading:

For those taking the course for a grade, there are three requirements for a grade of A:

Attend regularly. You can miss up to two meetings.
Participate in at least one competition.
Get addicted to at least one hard problem during the semester (i.e., spend the good part of a week working on it), and be prepared to present your thoughts on the solution of the problem to the group.

This year's Intercollegiate mathematics competitions.

All of the following events are on Saturdays.

November 13, 8:45am-noon, Olin: A regional 3-person team NCS/MAA mathematics team contest (the PennePutnam). Three hours on Saturday morning.

1997 (Problems) (Solutions)
1998 (Problems)
1999 (Problems) (Solutions)

December 4, 9am-noon and 2pm-5pm, Olin 321`: The nationally known individual effort Putnam competition.
February 26, 2000 at Macalester: A regional team Konhauser Problemfest competition that is a lot of fun. Completed in the morning, graded over lunch, and awards made in the early afternoon.