MTH 190 "Topics in Problem Solving"

Course Number	Time	Location	Instructor	Office Hours	E-mail
54565	M 16:50-18:05	1106A Hylan Building	Dan-Andrei Geba	MW 12:50-13:40 or by appointment, 806 Hylan Building	dangeba@math.rochester.edu

Description

This class is primarily aimed at students with an interest in the problem solving approach to mathematics, and, in particular, at participants in the college-level mathematics contests taking place this fall:

The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition (75th edition, 12/6, 10:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00);
Virginia Tech Regional Mathematics Contest (36th edition, 10/25, 9:00-11:30).

Our main goal is to discuss challenging mathematical problems from three general areas:

Analysis;
Algebra;
one encompassing Combinatorics, Geometry, and Number Theory.

Each area will contain topics of various level of difficulty, such that even students who have not yet taken advanced classes can successfully approach certain problems. We plan to have active class discussions, which will also allow time for individual presentations of solutions. A particularly strong emphasis will be placed on improving the writing skills needed for mathematical arguments.

The grade for this course is entirely based on classroom attendance, active participation in classroom discussions, and individual presentations.

Extra material

1. Links to previous years' tests for the Putnam and the Virginia Tech exams.

2. The following books on problem solving will be on reserve at the Carlson Library reserve collection:

"Putnam and Beyond" by Razvan Gelca and Titu Andreescu.
"Problem-Solving Through Problems" by Loren C. Larson.

3. You might also find useful the largest online forum dedicated to problem solving, The MathLinks Forum, organized by Valentin Vornicu.

Weekly schedule


Date	Lecture
9/8
9/22
10/6
10/20
10/21
11/3
11/17
12/1