Undergraduate Student Seminar-Problems from the USA Mathematical Olympiad

Pi Mu Epsilon talk
Title: Problems from the USA Mathematical Olympiad
Speaker: Bela Bajnok, Gettysburg College
Date and time: Friday, April 21, 2:10-3:10
Place: Duques 359
 
Abstract: The American Mathematical Competition (AMC) series is a flagship program of the Mathematical Association of America.  The AMC consists of several mathematical competitions, a collection of curriculum materials, and a variety of engagement opportunities -- all designed to strengthen problem solving skills, foster a love of mathematics, and identify, develop, and nurture talent in middle school and high school students across the United States.  Over 300,000 students enter the competitions each year, and eventually 500 of them are chosen to compete at the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) or its younger sibling, the USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO).  Here we examine some of the beautiful problems that were recently given at the USAMO and the USAJMO.

Some web apps will let you experiment with the problems that will be discussed, so bringing a laptop is encouraged.


Short bio: Professor Bajnok is a Professor of Mathematics at Gettysburg College and the Director of the American Mathematics Competitions.  He has received numerous awards for his excellent
teaching and has supervised over 300 student research projects.  He has written many research papers as well as two books, An Invitation to Abstract Mathematics (Springer) and Additive Combinatorics (CRC Press).


There will be light refreshments after the talk.