Course Materials

• Syllabus
• Quiz #1
• Hw #1 - We will talk about this problem on Wednesday, September 9th.
• Quiz #2
• Hw #2 - We will talk about this problem on Monday, September 14th.
• Quiz #3
• Hw #3 - We will talk about this problem on Monday, September 21st.
• Quiz #4
• Hw #4 - We will talk about this problem on Monday, September 28th.
• Quiz #5
• Hw #5 - We will talk about this problem on Monday, October 5th.
• Quiz #6
• Hw #6 - We will talk about this problem on Monday, October 12th.
• Quiz #7
• Hw #7 - We will talk about these problems on Monday, October 19th.
• Quiz #8
• Hw #8 - We will talk about this problem on Monday, October 26th.
• Quiz #9
• Hw #9 - We will talk about this problem on Monday, November 2nd.
• Quiz #10
• Hw #10 - We will talk about this problem on Monday, November 9th.
• Quiz #11
• Hw #11 - We will talk about this problem on Monday, November 16th.
• Quiz #12
• Hw #12 - We will talk about these problems on Monday, November 30th.

What is MATH 1190?

MATH 1190 is a 1-credit class which is given in preparation for taking the Putnam Exam. If you would like more information on the Putnam Exam or are wondering whether or not this class is something you may be interested in, please read the information below or contact Brian Miceli.

What is the Putnam Exam?

Many students ask what the Putnam Exam is, so here is a brief summary. Every year, usually the first Saturday of December, schools from The US and Canada compete in the William Lowell Putnam Exam Competition. Undergraduates from each school may compete as part of their school team, and the best teams and individuals win prizes.

The exam is divided up into two six-problem sections, the A section and the B section. The A section is given during a three hour time slot in the morning, then there is a two hour break for lunch, and then the B section is given for three hours in the afternoon. Each problem is worth 10 points, and there is partial credit given. Even so, each year over half of the people who take this exam get either a 0 or 1 out of the possible 120 points. In the end, this exam is more about a student's innate problem-solving abilities and less about being good at mathematics classes. A good analogy is that it takes more than a high vocabulary to be good at Scrabble, although a good vocabulary certainly does not hurt you.

When is the 2009 Putnam Exam?

The date for the 2009 Putnam Exam has yet to be decided, although it is usually on the first Saturday of December. The A portion of exam will be given from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon and the B portion of the exam will be given from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., with a lunch break in between. Once the exact date and location of the exam are known, they will be posted to this page.

Who can take the Putnam Exam?

Anyone currently enrolled as an undergraduate at any university in Canada or the US can take the exam, provided they have not taken the exam four times previously. This means that, currently, every undergrad at Trinity is eligible to take the exam!