MATH 280-01 Problem Solving for Math Competitions
Syllabus for Fall 2012
Thursdays 3:00 – 3:50pm (1 s.h.)
326 Gildemeister
Prerequisite: Technically none, though a good understanding of pre-calculus (Math120), calculus (Math160 and/or Math165), and discrete math (Math210) will be helpful.
Text: None.
Instructor: Dr. Eric Errthum Office: 124A Gildemeister Hall
Winona Email Username: eerrthum Office Phone: 474-5775
Grading: Attendance (scaled as needed) 150
points
Class
Participation / Presentations (scaled as needed) 150 points
Group
Write-Ups (scaled as needed) 150
points
MAA Team
Contest Participation 45
points
Putnam
Competition Participation 45
points
--------
540
points total
Grades: A = 90% (486 pts), B = 80% (432 pts), C = 70% (378 pts), D = 60% (324 pts)
Course Goal: The main goal of this course is to fill out your mathematical toolbox, both by dusting the rust off of stuff you haven’t seen in a while and by seeing some new things. The secondary goal of this course is to improve your skills in communicating mathematics, in both writing and presentation forms. Lastly, the hope is to prepare students to represent Winona State in regional and national math competitions. We will do all of this by studying the problems and solutions from previous competitions and other problem sources.
Class Structure: Each class will end
with students given a set of competition style problems to consider outside of
class. Sometimes students will also be given a solution to one of the problems
in a sealed envelope which they may open (or not) at any point. The following
class will then consist of some students taking turns explaining the solution
to their problem at the board. Other students are encouraged to ask questions, critique
the solution, etc. in a constructive and polite manner. At least one problem
will then be assigned as a Write-Up. The class ends with another round of
problems and possibly envelopes handed out.
Attendance: You are expected to
attend every class. For excused absences, contact the instructor before
the absence.
Presentations: Grades for the
presentations will be based on how well you are prepared; demonstrated either
by showing what you understand or by showing what you don’t understand (yet
demonstrating that you thought a lot about it). If you’re having trouble
getting started on a problem, come see me during my office hours for hints.
Write-Ups: At least one problem from each session will be assigned as a write-up assignment. These write-ups need to be done in the assigned groups of 2 – 3. Write-ups will be graded on mathematical truth and clear communication. Write-ups must be hand-written and only one copy for each group needs to be handed in.
Competition Participation: Grades for the
competitions do not depend on your score, only on whether or not you
participated.
MAA Team Contest: On Saturday,
November 10, the MAA North Central Section Team Contest will be held.
Students work together in groups of up to 3 on a set of 10 problems. (Last year
we had 5 teams competing!) The contest is administered on the WSU campus during
the Saturday morning. Coffee, juice and donuts will be supplied.
Putnam Competition: The William Lowell Putnam Competition is an annual mathematics competition for undergraduate students in the United States and Canada that has been held since 1938. (The overall winner gets a scholarship for Harvard graduate school.) Students work alone on 2 sessions of problems, each with 6 questions. Sessions are 3 hours long and separated by a lunch break (9am-noon and 2-5pm). The competition is administered on the WSU campus and will take place on Saturday, December 1. Coffee, juice and donuts will be supplied.
Helpful Links: Problem List: http://course1.winona.edu/eerrthum/math280
Course Webpage: http://course1.winona.edu/eerrthum/12Fall/12FallMath280Syllabus.htm
Credit: If you have taken this course before for credit, you can do so again. Also, if you’re interested in participating in this class or any of the competitions without officially signing up for the class, great! All are welcome to participate!