Homepage for Undergraduate Math Contests at LSU

MATH 3903: Methods of Problem Solving / Problem-Solving Seminar - Fall 2017

Practice Sheets | Resources | Previous Years | LSU History
Link to current year's Problem-Solving Seminar


 Putnam Mathematical Competition Results (received February 20, 2018)
Individual
 Blake Tillman - 18 points, ranked 823 out of 4638
Derek Walker - 10 points, ranked 1274.5
5 LSU students scored above the national median of 1 point



Virginia Tech Regional Math Contest Results (received November 14, 2017)
Individual
Sonia Azad - 16 points, ranked 119.5 out of 739
Derek Walker - 14 points, ranked 128
7 LSU students with positive scores
LSU median: 2 points (national median: 1 point)


This page contains information for students interested in undergraduate Mathematics Competitions at LSU. A weekly Problem-Solving Seminar is held each Wednesday evening in order to practice common Problem-Solving techniques. Practice helps a great deal in contest mathematics; LSU's best performers each year are usually students who have been attending the Problem-Solving Seminar regularly (click here for more historical data). Students enrolled in MATH 3903 (Methods of Problem Solving) are expected to attend every meeting and meet the requirements described in the Syllabus. See the Flyer for more information on the Seminar.

The Seminar meetings are also open to any undergraduate LSU student interested in participating in mathematics competitions. We work on challenging problems in a fun and informal environment - pizza and soft drinks are provided!

This year there are two fall competitions, both of which are written exams that take place on the LSU campus (your work will then be mailed for grading).
If you are interested in signing up for either contest, please contact Prof. Mahlburg (see below). You can sign up for the contests even if you do not attend the Problem-Solving Seminar. 

Meeting Information

 Scheduled Time
 Room
Weekly Problem-Solving Practice
 W 5:00 - 6:30 P.M.
 Lockett 3rd
floor Lounge
Virginia Tech Regional Math Contest
 Sat., Oct. 21, 8:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
 Lockett Hall 232/244
Putnam Exam
 Sat., Dec. 2, 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
 Lockett Hall 232/244


Organizer

 E-mail
 Office
Prof. Karl Mahlburg
 mahlburg@math.lsu.edu
 Lockett 320


Practice Sheets

Resources

The following links provide additional material for study, including problems, solutions, strategies, and theory. The best way to improve your problem-solving skills is to practice!
   

Previous Years

There is a large collection of problem sheets available on the seminar websites from previous years:
   
    2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012

Recent Results and Historical Data

A summary of LSU's performance since 2001 is available here. 

Although the national median on the Putnam Competition is typically 0 or 1 points (out of 120), the median at LSU has been at least 2 points every year since 2011 (and has always exceeded the national median). Furthermore, LSU has also had at least 6 students with positive scores every one of these years.

Back to Karl Mahlburg's homepage