18.A34 | Fall 2018 | Undergraduate

Mathematical Problem Solving (Putnam Seminar)

Assignments

Each week there is a lecture (usually by a guest lecturer) on a specific topic or technique, accompanied by a homework problem set. In the following class, students present solutions to problems from the homework. In addition, each week the class is assigned a list of “supplementary problems” ranging from all topics, not necessarily related to the lecture.

Each problem set contains a (sometimes long) list of problems. You are encouraged to work on as many as you like, but only hand in your six best solutions, at least four from the topics problem set based on the lecture. For multi-part problems, you may decide what counts as “one solution,” as long as it is reasonable (i.e., not too trivial).

SES # TOPICS ASSIGNMENTS
1–2 Hidden independence and uniformity

Hidden independence and uniformity problems (PDF)

Supplementary problems #1: 1–13 (PDF)

3–4 Sums and integrals

Sums and integrals problems (PDF)

Supplementary problems #2: 14–27 (PDF)

5–6 Analysis

Analysis problems (PDF)

Supplementary problems #3: 28–39 (PDF)

7–8 Recurrences

Recurrences problems (PDF)

Supplementary problems #4: 40–50 (PDF)

9–10 Inequalities

Inequalities problems (PDF)

Supplementary problems #5: 51–63 (PDF)

11–12 Probability

Probability problems (PDF)

Supplementary problems #6: 64–76 (PDF)

13–14 Linear algebra

Linear algebra problems (PDF)

Supplementary problems #7: 77–87 (PDF)

15–16 Abstract algebra

Abstract algebra problems (PDF)

Supplementary problems #8: 89–100 (PDF)

17–18 Congruences

Congruences problems (PDF)

Supplementary problems #9: 101–110 (PDF)

19–20 Combinatorial configurations

Combinatorial configurations problems (PDF)

Supplementary problems #10: 111–122 (PDF)

21–22 Generating functions

Generating functions problems (PDF)

Supplementary problems #11: 123–133 (PDF)

Additional Topics from Previous Editions of the Course

TOPICS ASSIGNMENTS
The Pigeonhole principle

Pigeonhole problems (PDF)

Integer part

Integer part problems (PDF)

Roots of polynomials

Roots of polynomials problems (PDF)

Limit problems

Limit problems (PDF)

Acknowledgements

Other than those listed below, all problem sets were created by anonymous guest lecturers.

All files are used with permission.

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