Putnam Mathematical Competition
The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition began in 1938 and is designed to stimulate a healthful rivalry in mathematical studies in the colleges and universities of the United States and Canada. Nearly 4,000 contestants from over 500 colleges and universities participate in the Putnam Competition, which is sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America. Here is the national William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition homepage.Kansas State University undergraduates participate individually in the Putnam Competition on the first Saturday in December in Cardwell Hall, with three of our students designated beforehand as the Kansas State Team. Contestants take the Putnam Exam which consists of two three hour sessions of six problems apiece. The first two problems in each session are usually the easiest ones. Contestants who work just one of the twelve problems correctly usually rank somewhere in the top 20% to 50%, and those who work two problems correctly usually rank in the top 10% to 20%. The team rank is determined by the individual rankings of the three team members.
A previous exam is posted on a bulletin board outside Cardwell 136. Here are some Mathematics Competitions Problems and Solutions as well as some Sample Putnam Exam Questions.
K-State students may take the K-State Putnam Seminar and can inquire about taking the Putnam Exam by contacting muenz@math.ksu.edu.
2005 Kansas State University Putnam Update
2004 Kansas State University Putnam Update
2003 Kansas State University Putnam Update
2001 Kansas State University Putnam Update
1999 Kansas State University Putnam Update
1996 Kansas State University Putnam Update