Princeton Math Competition 2006
From MathClub
| This page contains information from a previous year's test. Click here to find the current information. |
Contents |
Post-competition Wrap-up
Thanks to all the schools and students who participated in the first annual Princeton University Mathematics Competition.
We will also have an online feedback form up, but for now, we encourage students/parents/advisers to visit the PUMaC subforum on artofproblemsolving.com (http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/index.php?f=414) and add their comments. There are some very interesting discussions going on right now about how we can improve the test day both logistically and structurally, and we'd really love to have everyone's input.
But, before we start planning for next year's competition, we need to recognize all the people who contributed to this past one.
-Our sponsors
- -Jane Street Capital
- -UBS Investment Bank
- -Wolfram Research, Inc.
- -Art of Problem Solving Corporation
- -D.E. Shaw
- -The Princeton U-Store
- -and of course, the Princeton University Mathematics Dept.
-Professor Conway for giving a great lecture
-Professor Daubechies and Dona Vukson for guiding us through the entire process
-All the parents, coaches, and advisers (and especially those who helped out with grading)
-All the volunteers who proctored the tests, graded the tests, and helped out with logistics - they went above and beyond what we had ever asked you to do, and they were a huge reason why this competition ran as smoothly as it did
We hope everyone had a great time, and we look forward to seeing you next year!
Results
Results for the top schools overall as well as for the top individual scorers can be found here.
PUMaC 2006 Problems
All tests are in .pdf format.
Team Tests
Individual Tests
Solutions
Competition Overview
The 2006 Princeton University Mathematics Competition (PUMaC) took place on Saturday, December 16.
The competition is designed for and open to all students under 20 years old and not currently enrolled in college (i.e. high school students, home-schooled students, and even younger students with high mathematical ability).
This competition focuses heavily on teamwork. The maximum size for a team is 10 contestants. We will accept teams of less than 10 people, and even individual entries; we'll try to combine such entries into teams of 10 if the participants so desire. Schools or other organizations may send multiple teams. There will be a short answer individual test, a short answer team test, a full solution power test, and relays.
Test Information and Format
There are five subject areas for the individual test. Each participant takes exactly one of these subject area tests. Each team can have at most 2 people take any particular test. The subject areas are Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, Number Theory, and Advanced Topics. Each test will consist of 10 questions of varying difficulty, and will be one hour long.
The team test will be similar in format to the individual tests, but there is only one test covering all subject areas. Since all 10 people work together on this test, it will, of course, be much more challenging than an individual test. The team test will consist of approximately 10 questions of varying difficulty, and will be thirty minutes long.
The power test will present an interesting definition or advanced concept to the contestants, and they will be required to prove several results relating to this topic. The power test will be one hour long.
The relay contest will be similar to the relays held by ARML, for those who are familiar with that format. However, since our teams are of 10 people, we will split each team into relays of 5. Each round of the relay is timed. All five contestants get different short answer questions. Each question uses the result obtained by the previous contestant in the line. When time is up (twelve minutes), the last person in the relay must give an answer. Answers will also be accepted at the half-way mark (six minutes) for twice as many points.
The program for the day will include a lecture by Professor John H. Conway.
The day will conclude with individual tiebreakers (format to be announced) for top scoring contestants on the individual test, and an awards ceremony for the top contestants.
Official Competition Rules (2006)
Registration Schedule
Regular Registration: Before October 31, 2006 (registration form must be electronically sent/postmarked by this date)
Late Registration: From November 1, 2006 to November 22, 2006 (registration form must be electronically sent/postmarked by this date)
- ===Registration Update (10/30/06)===
- We have already filled up the first 200 students. However, teams may still register for the competition, and they will be put on a wait list in case an earlier registered team withdraws or if we expand the competition. Please check the PUMaC Waitlist Guidelines for more information on the wait list procedure. If you have any questions, please contact either the PUMaC Public Relations officer, George Lan, or the PUMaC Director, Nathan Savir.
Registration Fees
Regular Registration: $10 per student
Late Registration: $15 per student
Please read the Registration Guidelines (2006) and Official Competition Rules (2006) carefully before submitting the Registration Form.
Schedule for Day of Competition
| Time | Activity | Location | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00AM | - | 9:15AM | Team Registration | Brush Gallery (Basement of McDonnel Hall - also accessible through Fine and Jadwin Halls) | ||
| 9:30AM | - | 10:00AM | Team Test | Teams will be assigned to classrooms in Fine or McDonnell | ||
| 10:15AM | - | 11:15AM | Power Test | Teams will take the power test in the same rooms as their team test | ||
| 11:30AM | - | 12:30PM | Individual Tests | The five individual tests will be proctored in McDonnell Hall A01 and A02 (2 tests), Fine 314, Fine 214 | ||
| 12:30PM | - | 2:00PM | Lunch will be provided to students and advisors | Brush Gallery (Basement of McDonnel Hall) | ||
| 12:45PM | - | 1:30PM | 24 Tournament (Card Game) | Fine 314 | ||
| 1:00PM | - | 1:45PM | Lecture by Professor Conway* | McDonnell A02 | ||
| 2:00PM | - | 2:45PM | Relays | McDonnell A01, McDonnell A02 | ||
| 2:45PM | - | 3:15PM | Tiebreakers (if necessary) | McDonnell A02 | ||
| 2:45PM | - | 3:30PM | Awards | McDonnell A02 | ||
| (3:15PM | - | 4:00PM) | ||||
- Due to health reasons, Professor Conway may not be available. However, there definitely will be a guest lecture by a member of the Princeton math faculty
Contact Information
Please write to:
Princeton University Math Club
303 Fine Hall, Washington Road, Princeton University
Princeton NJ 08544-1000 USA
Attn: Dona Vukson
Alternatively, email the Public Relations officer George Lan at
glan@princeton.edu
or the Director Nathan Savir at
nsavir@princeton.edu
if you are interested in participating or have any questions.
