Students sit for Putnam exam

The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition competition, named for Mr. William Lowell Putnam and funded by the William Lowell Putnam Memorial Fund, is designed to stimulate a healthful rivalry in mathematical studies in the colleges and universities of the United States and Canada.

The first competition supported by this fund was in the field of English. A few years later, a second experimental competition was held, this time in mathematics between two institutions. Not until after William Lowell Putnam's wife's death in 1935 did the exam take on its present form. At that time it was placed under the administration of the Mathematical Association of America.

Each year, on the first weekend of December, students across the country participate in the two-part, morning and afternoon Putnam examination, which includes ten problems.

In October of each year, Richmond selects three students to form the University's Putnam Team.  This team represents the University of Richmond as it competes for both combined and individual scores with the other contesting teams throughout the U.S. and Canada.

When results of the team's test scores and answers are returned in the spring, the problems are posted on the window outside of Jepson 212.

Posted November 1, 2007