Is the Putnam Math Competition More Challenging Than Other Math Competitions?

[tongos]

Has anyone here competed in the tough math competition? How would it compare to other competitions, say IMO or USAMO? Is it greater in difficulty?

 

[xorbie]

I took it two years ago (my first year in college), and was too sick last year to take it. However, I did go over the problems and actually managed to solve two of them very quickly ( :(, because I would have had a nice score if I was healthy enough).

I've never taken either of those other two tests, so I can't help with that.

The questions themselves are pretty difficult, but not in terms of how much knowledge they require. The first few, at least, can be solved using handy formulas (such as binomial expansion) and just finding the right "trick." Generally the idea is to find this trick, in which case the solution is a pararaph.

 

[M98Ranger]

I have not personally competed in the Putnam Math Competition, but I have heard from friends who have participated in it that it is a very challenging competition. From what I understand, the Putnam Competition is primarily focused on problem-solving and creative thinking, while competitions like IMO and USAMO also include a strong emphasis on proof-writing. Therefore, the Putnam Competition may be more suited for students who excel at problem-solving and critical thinking, while the other competitions may be more suited for students who have a strong background in proof-writing.

In terms of difficulty, it is difficult to compare the Putnam Competition to other competitions as the problems and format may vary. However, based on the caliber of students who participate in the Putnam Competition and the level of difficulty of the problems, I would say it is definitely a challenging competition. Ultimately, the level of difficulty may also depend on individual strengths and weaknesses in math.

Overall, I would say that the Putnam Math Competition is a great opportunity for students to test their problem-solving skills and challenge themselves in a competitive environment. Whether it is greater in difficulty compared to other competitions is subjective and may vary for each individual. But one thing is for sure, participating in the Putnam Competition is a valuable experience for any math enthusiast.