MAT 160

Problem Solving and Games

Fall 2003

About this course:This course is intended for students who are interested in sharpening their problem solving skills, and in developing their mathematical intuition and ability to express mathematical ideas. There will be no standard "calculus type'' material in this course. As a matter of fact, most of the problems we discuss have a discrete nature and the techniques of calculus cannot be effectively used to attack them. Here are some of the topics that we will be discussing through problem-solving: mathematical induction, the pigeonhole principle, counting, finding patterns, elementary logic, divisibility, probability, graphs, elementary geometry.

The class will be divided into groups of approximately 3 people, to accommodate students with different backgrounds and experience. Many of the problems will require little formal knowledge of mathematics. Despite this, they can be very challenging and fun to do.

Instructor:

Hossein Namazi
Math Tower 3-104
E-mail: hossein@math.sunysb.edu

Class Schedule: Tuesday 9:50-10:45 AM in S B Union 231

Office hours: Tue 12:30-1:30 PM in my office and 1:30-2:30 PM in Math Learning Center: Math Tower S-240A

Course Syllabus

Suggested References:

Problem Solving Through Problems, by Larson, Springer-Verlag, 1983.
Mathematical Thinking, by D'Angelo and West, Prentice-Hall, 1997.
Challenging Mathematical Problems with Elementary Solutions volumes I and II, by Yaglom and Yaglom, Dover Publications, 1987.
Concrete Mathematics, by Graham, Knuth and Patashnik, 2nd ed., Addison-Wesley, 1994.
The USSR Olympiad Problem Book, by Shklarsky, Chentzov and Yaglom, Dover Publications, 1993.

There are many other problem books that you can find in the library. You are not required to buy any of these books since we are not going to follow a specific text closely, but it is useful to have a couple of them as a reference.

Homework: This is an essential part of the course. You will get an assignment each week. Typically you will be given 5 to 7 problems and asked to come up with some ideas on how to tackle them. You will be required to write down the solutions to one or two problems. Your are strongly encouraged to do the homework together with friends in your group or other groups.

Grading: MAT 160 is a one credit course with S/U grading. Thus on your transcript you will either get an S and one credit, or a U and no credit. The grade will not affect your GPA. You will be graded on your effort, which will be measured by class attendance and participation, and on the effort expended on homework. There is no final exam. If you wish to get an S for this class, you must keep up with the homework and tell me if you have to miss class more than 3 times in all.

Special Needs: If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact DisabilitySupport Services, ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, room 128, (631) 632-6748. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.

Students requiring emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Disability Support Services. For procedures and information, go to the following web site:

http://studentaffairs.stonybrook.edu/disabilityservices/

Online Resources: There is a nice web site called Math Competitions Archive at:

http://www.unl.edu/amc/a-activities/a7-problems/problemarchive.html

in which you can find many problems of the past national and international competitions.

Beside these, look at Math Department Problem of the Month! Win fabulous prizes ($25) for solving math problems! You can also find an archive of problems and solutions of them.