Customer Reviews

The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition 1985-2000: Problems, Solutions, and Commentary (MAA Problem Book Series)

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Not much can be said about this book: you get exactly what you have in mind. First part of the book lists every problem from 1985-2000 Putnam exams, the second part provides hints to each of the problems in case you are stuck. The last part contains detailed solution(s) to every problem. It is an excellent book... Good luck on the test if you will be taking it.

problems and answers are clearly explicated. great for studying or just satisfying your curiosity

I did Putnam in 2002 and solved 6 full problems. The future Putnam competitor should make it a point to consult past Putnam problems to successfully make the switch from olympiad problems to the Putnam. Not that it is a big change, but to do well in Putnam you have to know at least some basic trick in calculus, analysis and such. This is a good starting point in making that transition.

On a whole another level, even research mathematicians (problem solver type) can benefit from the 'tricks' and nuances of the 'toy' problems (e.g Putnam problems) in honing their problem solving instinct.

The book provides multiple alternate solutions, remarks, generalizations and even references to other similar problems in Putnam Exams and other competitive exams.

I loved the book. The only turn off was that the solutions are not helpful for a person not acquainted with the basic theorems and mathematical jargon. I, being a physics major did not know what Euler's Totient function is for instance.

The solutions are not robust (step by step) but rather terse.