E-Book Overview
The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition is the premier undergraduate mathematical competition in North America. This volume contains problems from the years 1985-2000, with solutions and extensive commentary. It is unlike the first two Putnam volumes and unlike virtually every other problem-based book, in that it places the problems in the context of important mathematical themes. The authors highlight connections to other problems, to the curriculum, and to more advanced topics. The best problems contain kernels of sophisticated ideas related to important current research, and yet the problems are accessible to undergraduates. The heart of the book is in the solutions, which have been compiled through extensive research. In editing the solutions, the authors have kept a student audience in mind, explaining techniques that have relevance to more than the problem at hand, suggesting references for further reading, and mentioning related problems, some of which are unsolved.
E-Book Content
The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition 1985–2000 Problems, Solutions, and Commentary
i
Reproduction. The work may be reproduced by any means for educational and scientific purposes without fee or permission with the exception of reproduction by services that collect fees for delivery of documents. In any reproduction, the original publication by the Publisher must be credited in the following manner: “First published in The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition 1985–2000: Problems, Solutions, and Commenc tary, 2002 by the Mathematical Association of America,” and the copyright notice in proper form must be placed on all copies.
Ravi Vakil’s photo on p. 337 is courtesy of Gabrielle Vogel. c 2002 by The Mathematical Association of America (Incorporated) Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 2002107972 ISBN 0-88385-807-X Printed in